Objective: The present study was conducted to compare the effect of mineral water and alkaline water after an acidic challenge on salivary pH of adults.
Methods: 30 dental students in the age group of 20-25 years were randomly divided into two groups according to type of water rinse used either mineral or alkaline water. The salivary pH was measured at baseline, after candy intake and after water rinse. The results obtained were compared for normality using Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests and One-way ANOVA followed by Paired sample t-test.
Results: A statistically significance difference was found in salivary pH between baseline, after candy and after water rinsing. Candy significantly lowered salivary pH. Mineral and alkaline water brought pH back with non-significant difference with baseline values. However, there was no significance difference between mineral and alkaline water.
Conclusion: Rinsing mouth with water after acidic challenge leads to neutralization of salivary pH thus preventing caries process in young adults.