Relationship between Soft Drink Consumption and Salivary pH

Objective: To evaluate the association between soft drink consumption, salivary pH changes, and self-reported oral health in a diverse population. Material and Methods: 1,471 participants were recruited from urban and rural communities. A structured questionnaire was utilized to collect demographic, beverage consumption, oral hygiene, and perceived oral health data. Salivary pH was assessed at baseline and at multiple time points (0 to 60 minutes) after consumption of five popular soft drinks (Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Seven Up, Mirinda, and Shani) using a calibrated digital pH device. Data were entered into SPSS and statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and the LSD tests. Results: Most participants were young adults aged 26–35 years (32.5%) and were female (90.4%). Pepsi was the most frequently consumed soft drink (35.5%), and 35.4% reported daily intake. All soft drinks tested caused a statistically significant decrease in salivary pH immediately following consumption, with minimum values achieved within 10 minutes after consumption. The minimum pH values for all the soft drink tested ranged between 5.12–5.21 and returned to near baseline values at 60 minutes. Thirty-one percent of survey respondents reported caries, and 21.2% reported staining or calcifications. Despite 94.4% of respondents reporting brushing their teeth regularly, regular consumption of a soft drink remains high. Conclusion: There is a strong effect of soft drink consumption on salivary pH, creating relevant conditions for enamel demineralization and caries formation. High-frequency intake of acidic beverages is still a substantially high-risk factor for caries, regardless of a good level of oral hygiene behavior. Public health interventions for promoting educational public health strategies targeting youth about important issues related to soft drink consumption should work to significantly reduce consumption of soft drinks and promote healthier alternatives.