Murthy GS, Murthy SS, Kavitha M. Effect of chewing
Azadirachta indica (neem) and
Ocimum sanctum (tulsi) leaves on salivary acidogenicity: A comparative study.
J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021;
24:479-483. [PMID:
33967484 PMCID:
PMC8083448 DOI:
10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_345_19]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
Dental caries is an infectious disease affecting majority of children in the modern world. An acidogenic diet brings down plaque pH, leading to dental caries. However, certain foods bring about rapid reversal of plaque pH after an acidogenic challenge. Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum leaves which are anticariogenic show promise in this regard.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the salivary pH reversal phenomenon by chewing A. indica and O. sanctum leaves after an acidogenic challenge.
Materials and Methods:
Forty caries-free children were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The resting salivary pH and salivary pH after eating chocolate was measured using a pH meter at time intervals of 5, 30 and 60 min. The children were then instructed to chew A. indica and O. sanctum leaves after chocolate consumption, and salivary pH was again measured at 5, 30 and 60 min. The change in salivary pH was assessed.
Statistical Analysis:
The data obtained were analyzed using Student's t-test (two tailed, dependent) to find the significance of the study parameters. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.
Results:
Chewing A. indica and O. sanctum leaves after chocolate consumption increased salivary pH to statistically significant values at 5, 30 and 60 min.
Conclusion:
The observations of the study show that chewing of A. indica and O. sanctum leaves reversed the drop in salivary pH levels after an acidogenic challenge.
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