Salivary pH effect on postoperative pain in dental surgery

Saliva has two major functions in mouth: protective and digestive. Saliva protects mouth cavity through maintenance of humidity of mucous، salivary proteins، antibacterial function، ulcer recovery، early blood coagulation in mouth، and protection of teeth. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of salivary pH on postoperative pain in dental surgery. This study was performed on 31 patients in surgery ward of dentistry faculty of Islamic Azad University. After selection of cases، salivary pH was measured by using pH meter. Then، data was analyzed with SPSS software. The result showed that the pain has decreased significantly during two postoperative days. Furthermore، there was a severe ascending trend between pH=5 and pH=5. 5. There was an ascending-descending trend in pH>5. 5. Patients with pH=5. 5 had lowest rate of analgesic consumption. Also، patient with pH=5 and pH=7 had minimal and maximal pain rates respectively. In other word، the pain is increased with pH elevation. This study showed the direct association between salivary pH and postoperative pain. Thus، in order to decrease of pain after dental surgery، pre and post operation mouth washing with acidic solutions can be helpful.