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Aim:
The main aim of this study was to see the effect of two chewing gums on pH of saliva.
Methods:
Previous studies have demonstrated that the chewing of sucrose-free increases the pH of saliva after meal. To
investigate the extrapolation of these fmdings to the clinical setting, a study on 445 school children in Kathmandu
was conducted for which four schools in Kathmandu valley which were randomly chosen.The students of these
schools were divided into two groups; sugar-free group (n= 222) and sugar-based group (n=223). The pH was
measured with Universal pH indicator at different time intervals; 5 minutes before meal & 10 minutes after meal.
Then 15 minutes after meal each group were given two different types of chewing gums; sugar-free and sugar-based.
Then the students were allowed to chew for 5 minutes and the pH was measured, i.e. 20 minutes after meal.
Results:
In sugar-based group, the mean pH 5 minutes before meal was 6.9484 and the mean pH 10 minutes after meal was
4.8161. In sugar-free group, the mean pH 5 minutes before meal was 6.927 and the mean pH 10 minutes after meal
was 4.7927. The mean pH after 20 minutes after meal in sugar-based chewing gum was 8.977 whereas in sugar free,
pH was 9.240.
Statistical methods:
The differences between sugar-free gum and sugar-based gum groups were analyzed by Student’s T-test at the 5%

Chewing Gum, dental caries, pH of saliva, saliva,