Journal of Dental Research, Vol 67, 1434-1437, Copyright © 1988 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
The effect of previous diet on plaque pH response to different foods
H. D. Sgan-Cohen, E. Newbrun, R. Huber, G. Tenebaum and M. N. Sela
Department of Community Dentistry, Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
In this study we investigated the effect of previous diet on the response
of plaque pH to three test foods. The study population consisted of 11
dental students. Plaque pH was measured, by means of the touch electrode
method, on the first two upper molars. The study was conducted at two
sessions, one week apart. Subjects followed a 48-hour high-sugar diet
before the first test session and a 48-hour low-sugar diet before the
second test session. During both 48-hour periods, students refrained from
all oral hygiene practices and fluoride utilization. At each session, three
foods were ingested at one-hour intervals: cola, beer, and chocolate bar.
pH measurements at baseline and at selected times after food ingestion were
recorded and analyzed. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed
significant independent effects of food, previous diet, and their
interaction on plaque pH. After the same foods were ingested, plaque pH
response after a previous high-sugar diet was significantly more acidic
than after a previous low-sugar diet.
