Effect of sucrose-containing drugs on the pH of dental plaque in pediatrics

The role of sucrose in pH decline in dental plaque and its significance in the development of caries has been established. There are various reports on the effect of various drugs on the pH of dental plaque as well as considerable gaps in the existing information in the country. This study compared the effects of five types of common syrups for children (250 amoxicillin suspension, acetaminophen syrup, diphenhydramine syrup, and children’s cold and multivitamin syrup) with a solution of 10% sucrose on the pH of dental plaque.

In this Single- blind randomized crossover clinical trial study, 10 healthy dental students were selected with an average age of 23.7± 1.10 and DMFS=10±1.82. Changes in pH were recorded by a digital pH meter at baseline and time intervals of 2.5.7, 10, 15, 20,30,40,50 and60 minutes following a 1min rinse with each medicine and 10% sucrose solution as a positive control. Statistical and data analysis was done using T-test (repeated measure ANOVA)and multiple comparisons (post Hoc).

The average pH of dental plaque was found to be the lowest at all times (from 6.64±0.38 to 6.39±0.39) in samples which took amoxicillin suspension. Significant difference was found between the medications and 10% sucrose solution up to 20 minutes (p<0.01). The pattern for pH changes was similar in almost all samples and it was reported to be below the critical levels.

All medications tested caused a decline in the pH of dental plaque. The maximum drop in pH was reported to be in the seventh minute. In almost all cases, the pH level never returned to the baseline values for 60 minutes after drug use.