The effect of oral balms/rinses containing peptides on the physicochemical properties of mixed saliva

By mixing with oral fluid, balms have an effect on its physicochemical properties, which affects the health of teeth and gums. Objective. To evaluate the effect of balms containing peptides on some physicochemical parameters of mixed saliva. Material and methods. At the beginning of the investigation, the authors studied the physicochemical properties of the solutions of 3 peptide-containing rinses for the prevention of inflammatory processes; the solutions had a remineralizing effect and were used for emergency care in case of acute inflammation. At Stage 2 of the investigation, the authors explored the physicochemical properties of mixed saliva from the students of the Faculty of Dentistry, Ural State Medical University (Yekaterinburg), before and after application of balms. Results. The solutions of the test balms have a weak acid medium, which creates unfavorable conditions for the reproduction of the most common oral bacteria. The acid buffer capacity of all the balms is about 2 times the base buffer capacity. The low surface tension values of rinse solutions suggest that the latter contain surfactants that provide cleaning and antibacterial effects. The osmolality values of the balms are 10 times higher than those of mixed saliva, which reduces edemas in case of inflammation. The balm that is used as a prophylactic agent was shown to result in a slight change in salivary pH within an hour after application. All the test balms are able to reduce the surface tension of saliva and increase its buffering properties, especially against acids, which is one of the main factors for the resistance of tooth enamel to caries. Conclusion. The test balms/rinses generally have a beneficial effect on the physicochemical parameters of mixed saliva, which ensures their efficacy.