Mahek R ZEN, Sujal PARKAR
Cumhuriyet Dental Journal - 2026;29(2):337-343
Objectives: Consumption of caffeinated and non -caffeinated beverages may influence salivary flow rate and pH, thereby affecting oral health. However, evidence regarding their short -term effects on salivary characteristics is still limited. This study aimed to assess and compare the impact of caffeinated and non -caffeinated beverages on salivary flow rate and pH among undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 60 undergraduate dental students, who were randomly divided into four groups: Group A (tea - caffeinated), Group B (carbonated soft drink - caffeinated), Group C (milk - non-caffeinated), and Group D (fruit juice - non-caffeinated). The salivary flow rate was assessed at baseline, immediately , 5 minutes, and 15 minutes after consumption of beverages. A digital pH meter was used to measure the salivary pH. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Kruskal Wallis and post hoc Bonferroni test. Result s: Total 60 students participated with me an age 22.22 +/- 0.90 years, and female dominance (n = 44, 73.3%). No significant difference was observed among the groups at baseline. However, the group -wise comparison of salivary flow rate immediately and 5 minutes after beverage consumption showed a sig nificant difference (p = 0.005). Pairwise comparison revealed a significant difference between Group A and Group B at both time intervals (p = 0.003). Similarly, salivary pH demonstrated a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) immediately after consump tion and a significant difference (p = 0.02) at 15 minutes post -consumption. Pairwise comparison indicated significant differences immediately after consumption between Group A vs Group B, Group B vs Group C, and Group B vs Group D, while after 15 minutes a significant difference was observed only between Group B and Group D (p < 0.05). Conclusion s: Tea consumption increased salivary flow rate, whereas soft drink consumption decreased it. Salivary pH decreased following the intake of both caffeinated and no n-caffeinated beverages.
