2003-15-2-88-95 - Saudi Dental Journal

ISSN (Print) 1013-9052
EISSN 1658-3558

The Saudi Dental Journal,
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Tel.	966-1-467-7328
Fax.	933-1-467-7308 / 966-1-467-7534
Email	saudidj@ksu.edu.sa

Evaluation of acidogenic potential of infant milk formula

Zahra Al-Ahmari*, BDS, MSc
Joseph O. Adenubi**, BDS, MSc, MPH

* Public Security Training Center, Ministry of Interior, P.O. Box 59142, Riyadh 11525, KSA
** Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA

The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess the plaque pH of children before and after an oral rinse with milk formulas, especially in relation to the minimum pH obtained in response to each formula and (2) to determine the protective effect against caries or the buffering effect of each milk formula and to assess the effect of the presence and quantity of casein protein. Six infant milk formulas were identified as the most frequently used by mothers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Children aged 1 to 3 years, whose parents granted informed consent were selected from the kindergarten school at King Saud University, Riyadh according to the inclusion criteria that they were normal, caries free and in good general and oral health. Twenty children rinsed with each type of infant formula at weekly intervals. Ten children each rinsed with the positive control solution (sucrose) and the negative control solution (water) at the start of the study. An in vivo / in vitro combination technique was used in plaque sampling and pH measurement. The plaque pH changes were recorded by using touch electrode connected to a portable digital pH meter. The oral rinsing with all infant formulas reduced the plaque pH significantly below the pH obtained after rinsing with water (Tukey multiple comparison test P < 0.0001). Rinsing with infant milk formulas reduced the plaque pH below the pre-rinse pH value for sucrose solution, Similac Advance "green", Similac Advance "yellow" and Isomil at significant levels for all (t tests, P < 0.0001). There was no significant Pearson correlation between the quantity of casein and the drop in pH (P = 0.54) nor with its buffering effect (P = 0.69), but this protective effect of casein against caries in the different milk formulas was however associated with its presence.

Saudi Dental Journal 2003;15(2):88-95.