Effect of Arginine-bicarbonate on pH and buffering capacity of stimulated saliva in children

Objective: Determine the effects of 2% Arginine-bicarbonate in 40% calcium carbonate base, on pH and buffering capacity of saliva in venezuelan children with 10 and 11 years of age. Method: 20 children considering criteria for inclusion, DMFT between 3-6 and non-erupted second molar were selected. Children were divided into 2 groups in haphazard order, a control group instructed to use a commercially available fluoride toothpaste in Venezuela and an experimental group to use an arginine bicarbonate dentifrice. A sample of stimulated saliva from each child was collected. The pH was determined using an Accumet model Fisher Scientific pH electrode, attached to an Orion 710 A pH/ion meter. The buffering capacity was determined considering the method of Singer et al (1983), titled with HCL/NaOH both 0.05 M. Results: The pH values of the control and experimental group at baseline were 7.49±0.30 and 7.51±0.23, respectively. No significant differences were found in both groups (p> 0.05). After analyzing buffering capacity at baseline, results showed 2.80±1.14 for the control group and 2.23±0.74 for the experimental group. After 6 months no significant differences were observed in pH values for both groups, but a 2.2 time increment of buffering capacity was developed in the experimental group compared with baseline data. After comparing values for the control (2.60± 0.96) and experimental group (4.85± 2.53), significant differences were observed (p<0.05).Conclusion: Arginine-Bicarbonate increases resistance to pH changes in human stimulated saliva, maintaining pH values invariably, therefore a better control of dental caries.