Salivary pH changes during 10% carbamide peroxide bleaching.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect on salivary pH of a 10% carbamide peroxide solution when used with a custom-fitted guard for bleaching teeth. Baseline pH values were established for unstimulated saliva and on saliva produced while wearing an empty guard. After insertion of a guard half filled with Proxigel, salivary pH measurements were made at 5-minute intervals until the values returned to baseline levels. Mean salivary pH values were 6.81 +/- 0.11 for unstimulated samples and 6.91 +/- 0.18 after insertion of the empty guard. After insertion of the filled guard, there was a statistically insignificant decrease in salivary pH during the first 5 minutes, followed by an increase above baseline at 10 minutes, to a mean peak value of 7.32 +/- 0.27 at 15 minutes. The difference between the baseline values and the mean peak value at 15 minutes was statistically significant. The results of the study indicated that the pH of saliva increased significantly during the first 15 minutes of nightguard vital bleaching and did not significantly drop below baseline in the first 2 hours after insertion with a moderately low-pH solution.