Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Volume 6 | Issue -14
Introduction: Saliva plays a role in maintaining the environmental balance and oral commensal. The carbonic acid/bicarbonate system, phosphate system, and protein system all collaborate to maintain a consistent pH level in saliva. Tobacco consumption either smoke or smokeless form is considered as a major public health problem and is the most important etiological factor in the development of oral cancer. Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare the effect of tobacco on salivary pH among tobacco chewers, smokers, and controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 subjects aged 25–40 years were included in this study and divided into three groups: 20 Tobacco chewers (Group A), 20 tobacco smokers (Group B) and 20 controls (Group C). Saliva of each subject was collected under resting condition and Salivary pH was determined using the specific salivary pH meter. Results: Mean and standard deviation for Group A was 6.59 ± 0.4399, Group B was 6.87± 0.4835 and Group C was 7.12 ± 0.1446 after comparison. The significant results indicate that Groups A and B had lower salivary pH levels compared to Group C. Group A showed lower salivary pH as compared to Group B and Group C. Conclusion: Long term use of tobacco can cause significant alterations in salivary pH. These alterations can render oral mucosa vulnerable to various oral and dental diseases.