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