Impact of Caffeinated and Non-Caffeinated Beverages on Salivary Flow Rate and pH Among Undergraduate Students of a Dental Institute

Background: Consumption of caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages may influence salivary flow rate and pH, thereby affecting oral health. Aim: To assess and compare the impact of caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages on salivary flow rate and pH among undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: An interventional study was conducted among 60 undergraduate dental students. Participants were randomly divided into four groups (15 in each group) based on the type of beverage consumed: Group A (tea - caffeinated), Group B (soft drink - caffeinated), Group C (milk - non-caffeinated), and Group D (fruit juice - non-caffeinated). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline, immediately, 5 minutes, and 15 minutes after consumption of beverages. Salivary pH was measured using a digital pH meter. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, and post hoc Bonferroni test. Result: A total of 60 students participated, with a mean age of 22.22 ± 0.90 years, and female dominance (n = 44, 73.3%). Intragroup comparison revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in salivary flow rate in all Groups except milk and in salivary pH over time in all four groups (P<0.001). At different time interval intergroup comparison showed significant differences in salivary flow rate at immediate and 5-minute intervals (P<0.05), and in pH levels immediately (P<0.001) and at 15 minutes post-intervention (P=0.02). A significant difference was observed between tea and soft drinks at immediate and 5 minutes post-consumption (P=0.003). Soft drinks showed a significantly lower pH than all other groups immediately after consumption (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Tea consumption increases salivary flow rate while soft drinks decrease it. Salivary pH decreases after consumption of both caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks.