Endogenous pH, titratable acidity of commercially available mouthwashes in Indian market

Abstract

Various studies have demonstrated that acidic and low pH (less or equal to 5.5) mouthwashes can cause dental demineralization, erosion and significant loss of enamel within the first few minutes of contact with such acidic solution. 1 The erosive potential depends on low pH and ABSTRACT Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the endogenous pH, titratable acidity of mouthwashes available in the Indian market. Methods: The study sample was composed of 11 commercial brands of mouthwashes based on different active ingredients. The experiments were performed in triplicate. The endogenous pH was evaluated by using a digital pH meter; titratable acidity was evaluated by the addition of 0.1N NaOH increments to the mouthwashes. Results: pH values ranged from 4.01(CODE K mouth wash containing Terminalia chebula) to 6.58 (CODE E mouthwash containing Diclofenac), and total of six mouthwashes had pH less than the critical value of 5.5, thus classified as potentially erosive. Titratable acidity values ranged from 0.2 (CODE H-Chlorhexidine Gluconate) to 1.2 (CODE I-Thymol, Eucalyptol). Conclusions: Some of the mouthwashes evaluated in this study presented low endogenous pH, even below the critical value for enamel dissolution (pH<5.5), high titratable acidity which may be potentially erosive to the dental tissues if not properly used.