Periodontal disease and salivary pH: Case control study

Background: Saliva is complex fluid maintaining microbiological flora and oral hygiene. It has varying composition and has diagnostic and prognostic value. The present case-control study was aimed at finding the association between salivary pH and periodontal disease. Materials and methods: Three groups consisting of persons with healthy gingiva, persons with generalized chronic gingivitis and those with generalized chronic periodontitis were studied. Results: It was seen that the saliva of patients suffering from chronic generalized gingivitis was alkaline in nature while that of patients with chronic generalized periodontitis was acidic when compared with health individuals. The difference between the groups was significant (p=0.00). Conclusion: Salivary pH can have prognostic value for periodontal disease.