Journal of Ecophysiology & Occupational Health

The dietary habits are changing with modernization, healthy eating is perceived to be important and fruit juices are marketed as healthy drink. The purpose of this study was. (i) To estimate the endogenous pH and titrable acidity of four different fruit juices commonly available in the market. (ii) To assess the effect of these test drinks on plaque pH in two groups. (iii) To compare between the juices for two groups. In the present study two groups based on caries experience of 12 child patients each aged 12–16 years were included and the groups were randomly allocated for fruit juices and a four period cross over study was designed, endogenous pH of the fruit juices and plaque samples collected at baseline and after consumption of fruit juice at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes were assessed by digital pH meter. All the four fruit juices were acidic and reduced plaque pH. Decrease in pH was seen in both the groups but in group II it dropped below critical pH. Thus it was juices concluded that ready to drink fruit juices has cariogenic potential.