The Effect of Dried Fruits Consumption on Dental Plaque pH
Abstract
Introduction: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, we evaluated the effect of three dried fruits (date, raisin, and apricot) in comparison to 40% sucrose and sorbitol solutions (as positive and negative controls, respectively) on the pH of dental plaque. Materials and Methods: 20 healthy dental students were requested to stop their oral hygiene 24 hours before and also avoid eating and drinking 2.5 hours before each session for five sessions. At each session, initial pH was measured using a pH meter electrode. Then, 20 grams of the randomly selected food was chewed, spread in the mouth, and swallowed after 5 minutes. The pH of the dental plaque was measured 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after consumption. Data were analyzed using repeated-measure ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: Following consumption of date, raisins, and apricots, the plaque pH loss was significantly higher than that of sorbitol at both 1,5 minutes (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between these groups in comparison to sucrose in these intervals (P > 0.05). Comparison of pH changes after 10, 20, and 30 minutes did not show statistically significant differences between any of the groups (P > 0.05). In the sucrose and apricot groups, pH significantly decreased compared to its initial pH (P = 0.006 and P < 0.0001, respectively), but there was no significant difference in date, raisins, and sorbitol (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that date, raisin, and apricot could reduce dental plaque pH similar to sucrose and significantly higher than sorbitol. However, no significant difference was observed in reducing plaque pH at different time intervals between other dried fruits. Keywords: Apricot; Dried fruit; Dental plaque; Dental caries.
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2. Rimm EB, Ascherio A, Giovannucci E, Spiegelman D, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Vegetable, fruit, and cereal fiber intake and risk of coronary heart disease among men. Jama. 1996;275(6):447-51.
3. Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Speizer FE, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake in relation to risk of ischemic stroke. Jama. 1999;282(13):1233-9.
4. Vinson JA, Zubik L, Bose P, Samman N, Proch J. Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2005;24(1):44-50.
5. Kamiloglu S, Toydemir G, Boyacioglu D, Beekwilder J, Hall RD, Capanoglu E. A review on the effect of drying on antioxidant potential of fruits and vegetables. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2016;56(sup1):S110-S29.
6. Omolola AO, Jideani AI, Kapila PF. Quality properties of fruits as affected by drying operation. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2017;57(1):95-108.
7. Sardar F, Ajami B, Hassani F, Boskabady M. The Effect of Exposure to Dried Fruits on the Surface Micro-Hardness of Dental Enamel. Journal of Nutrition and Food Security. 2023.
8. Alasalvar C, Salvadó J-S, Ros E. Bioactives and health benefits of nuts and dried fruits. Food chemistry. 2020;314:126192.
9. Sadler MJ, Gibson S, Whelan K, Ha M-A, Lovegrove J, Higgs J. Dried fruit and public health–what does the evidence tell us? International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2019;70(6):675-87.
10. Sadler M. Dried fruit and dental health–how strong is the evidence? Nutrition Bulletin. 2017;42(4):338-45.
11. Farajian P, Katsagani M, Zampelas A. Short-term effects of a snack including dried prunes on energy intake and satiety in normal-weight individuals. Eating behaviors. 2010;11(3):201-3.
12. Patel BP, Bellissimo N, Luhovyy B, Bennett LJ, Hurton E, Painter JE, Anderson GH. An after‐school snack of raisins lowers cumulative food intake in young children. Journal of food science. 2013;78(s1):A5-A10.
13. Patel BP, Luhovyy B, Mollard R, Painter JE, Anderson GH. A premeal snack of raisins decreases mealtime food intake more than grapes in young children. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2013;38(4):382-9.
14. Sadler MJ. Dried fruit and dental health. International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2016;67(8):944-59.
15. Al-Shahib W, Marshall RJ. The fruit of the date palm: its possible use as the best food for the future? International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2003;54(4):247-59.
16. Al-Farsi M, Alasalvar C, Morris A, Baron M, Shahidi F. Comparison of antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics of three native fresh and sun-dried date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Oman. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2005;53(19):7592-9.
17. Vayalil PK. Antioxidant and antimutagenic properties of aqueous extract of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2002;50(3):610-7.
18. Sayyedi A, Asgarian S, Khalifeh Borazjani H, Kohanteb J. Effect of date extract on growth of Mutans Streptococci, the most important factor of dental caries. Armaghane danesh. 2007;11(4):63-71.
19. Ghorbani P, Sarikhani H, Gholami M, Ahmadi E. Effect of alkaline treatment on color, phenolic composition and antioxidant property of raisin. Isfahan University of Technology-Journal of Crop Production and Processing. 2014;4(12):63-72.
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21. NHS Choices (2017) How to cut down on sugar in your diet. Available at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/how-to-cut-downon- sugar-in-your-diet.aspx (accessed 3 April 2021).
22. Edgar W, Bibby B, Mundorff S, Rowley J. Acid production in plaques after eating snacks: modifying factors in foods. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 1975;90(2):418-25.
23. Must A, Evans E, Palmer C, Bermudez O, Naumova E, Cohen S, Hayes C. Development of a Pediatric Cariogenicity Index. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2010;110(9):A78.
24. Pinkham JR, Casamassimo P, Fields H, McTigue D, Nowak A. Pediatric dentistry. Infancy through adolescence 4th ed, Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co. 2005.
25. Navazesh M, Kumar SK. Measuring salivary flow: challenges and opportunities. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2008;139:35S-40S.
26. Pollard M. Potential cariogenicity of starches and fruits as assessed by the plaque-sampling method and an intraoral cariogenicity test. Caries research. 1995;29(1):68-74.
27. Merdad K, Sonbul H, Bukhary S, Reit C, Birkhed D. Caries susceptibility of endodontically versus nonendodontically treated teeth. Journal of endodontics. 2011;37(2):139-42.
28. Johansson A-K, Lingström P, Birkhed D. Effect of soft drinks on proximal plaque pH at normal and low salivary secretion rates. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2007;65(6):352-6.
29. Moeiny P, Shafizadeh N, Biabani S, Raofie FJJoIDAoI. Evaluation of the effect of three different Iranian industrial fruit juices on plaque ph. 2013;25(3):175-82.
30. Yildiz S, Dogan BJEjod. Self reported dental health attitudes and behaviour of dental students in Turkey. 2011;5(3):253.
31. Mamai-Homata E, Koletsi-Kounari H, Margaritis VJJoISoP, Dentistry C. Gender differences in oral health status and behavior of Greek dental students: A meta-analysis of 1981, 2000, and 2010 data. 2016;6(1):60.
32. Pacauskiene IM, Smailiene D, Siudikienė J, Savanevskyte J, Nedzelskiene IJS. Self-reported oral health behavior and attitudes of dental and technology students in Lithuania. 2014;16(2):65-71.
33. Mortazavi S, Noin S. Plaque pH changes following consumption of two types of plain and bulky bread. Dental research journal. 2011;8(2):80.
34. Kiran Banan L, Hegde A. Plaque and salivary pH changes after consumption of fresh fruit juices. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2006;30(1):9-13.
35. Moieni P, Namazi F, Raoufi F, Zahedi Rad SJJoMDS. Comparing the Effect of Chocolate Milk and Plain Milk on Dental Plaque pH. 2016;40(3):269-80.
36. Mirzakhani M, Siavashani MA, Akhavan PS. The effect of different chewing gum on pH of Dental Plaque. Journal of Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. 2014;32(1):45-52.
37. Lif Holgerson P, Stecksen-Blicks C, Sjöström I, Twetman S. Effect of xylitol-containing chewing gums on interdental plaque-pH in habitual xylitol consumers. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2005;63(4):233-8.
38. Edgar W, Higham S, Manning R. Saliva stimulation and caries prevention. Advances in dental research. 1994;8(2):239-45.
39. Amini N, Ramezaninejad S, Raofi FJRDS. Effect of sucrose-containing drugs on the pH of dental plaque in pediatrics. 2013;10(2):90-7.
40. Kleinberg I, Jenkins G. The pH of dental plaques in the different areas of the mouth before and after meals and their relationship to the pH and rate of flow of resting saliva. Archives of oral biology. 1964;9(5):493-516.
41. Curzon M, Hefferren JJBdj. Modern methods for assessing the cariogenic and erosive potential of foods. 2001;191(1):41-6.
42. Frostell G. A method for evaluation of acid potentialities of foods. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 1970;28(5):599-608.
43. Jordan H, Krasse B, Möller A. A method of sampling human dental plaque for certain “caries-inducing” streptococci. Archives of oral biology. 1968;13(8):919-27.
2. Rimm EB, Ascherio A, Giovannucci E, Spiegelman D, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Vegetable, fruit, and cereal fiber intake and risk of coronary heart disease among men. Jama. 1996;275(6):447-51.
3. Joshipura KJ, Ascherio A, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Rimm EB, Speizer FE, et al. Fruit and vegetable intake in relation to risk of ischemic stroke. Jama. 1999;282(13):1233-9.
4. Vinson JA, Zubik L, Bose P, Samman N, Proch J. Dried fruits: excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidants. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2005;24(1):44-50.
5. Kamiloglu S, Toydemir G, Boyacioglu D, Beekwilder J, Hall RD, Capanoglu E. A review on the effect of drying on antioxidant potential of fruits and vegetables. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2016;56(sup1):S110-S29.
6. Omolola AO, Jideani AI, Kapila PF. Quality properties of fruits as affected by drying operation. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2017;57(1):95-108.
7. Sardar F, Ajami B, Hassani F, Boskabady M. The Effect of Exposure to Dried Fruits on the Surface Micro-Hardness of Dental Enamel. Journal of Nutrition and Food Security. 2023.
8. Alasalvar C, Salvadó J-S, Ros E. Bioactives and health benefits of nuts and dried fruits. Food chemistry. 2020;314:126192.
9. Sadler MJ, Gibson S, Whelan K, Ha M-A, Lovegrove J, Higgs J. Dried fruit and public health–what does the evidence tell us? International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2019;70(6):675-87.
10. Sadler M. Dried fruit and dental health–how strong is the evidence? Nutrition Bulletin. 2017;42(4):338-45.
11. Farajian P, Katsagani M, Zampelas A. Short-term effects of a snack including dried prunes on energy intake and satiety in normal-weight individuals. Eating behaviors. 2010;11(3):201-3.
12. Patel BP, Bellissimo N, Luhovyy B, Bennett LJ, Hurton E, Painter JE, Anderson GH. An after‐school snack of raisins lowers cumulative food intake in young children. Journal of food science. 2013;78(s1):A5-A10.
13. Patel BP, Luhovyy B, Mollard R, Painter JE, Anderson GH. A premeal snack of raisins decreases mealtime food intake more than grapes in young children. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2013;38(4):382-9.
14. Sadler MJ. Dried fruit and dental health. International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2016;67(8):944-59.
15. Al-Shahib W, Marshall RJ. The fruit of the date palm: its possible use as the best food for the future? International journal of food sciences and nutrition. 2003;54(4):247-59.
16. Al-Farsi M, Alasalvar C, Morris A, Baron M, Shahidi F. Comparison of antioxidant activity, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and phenolics of three native fresh and sun-dried date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) varieties grown in Oman. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2005;53(19):7592-9.
17. Vayalil PK. Antioxidant and antimutagenic properties of aqueous extract of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L. Arecaceae). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2002;50(3):610-7.
18. Sayyedi A, Asgarian S, Khalifeh Borazjani H, Kohanteb J. Effect of date extract on growth of Mutans Streptococci, the most important factor of dental caries. Armaghane danesh. 2007;11(4):63-71.
19. Ghorbani P, Sarikhani H, Gholami M, Ahmadi E. Effect of alkaline treatment on color, phenolic composition and antioxidant property of raisin. Isfahan University of Technology-Journal of Crop Production and Processing. 2014;4(12):63-72.
20. Hajilou J, Fakhim Rezaei S, Dehghan GR. Comparison of the quality attributes and antioxidant capacity of plum-apricot interspecific hybrid with some plum and apricots cultivars in harvesting time. Journal of Food Research. 2013;23:107-19.
21. NHS Choices (2017) How to cut down on sugar in your diet. Available at: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/how-to-cut-downon- sugar-in-your-diet.aspx (accessed 3 April 2021).
22. Edgar W, Bibby B, Mundorff S, Rowley J. Acid production in plaques after eating snacks: modifying factors in foods. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 1975;90(2):418-25.
23. Must A, Evans E, Palmer C, Bermudez O, Naumova E, Cohen S, Hayes C. Development of a Pediatric Cariogenicity Index. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2010;110(9):A78.
24. Pinkham JR, Casamassimo P, Fields H, McTigue D, Nowak A. Pediatric dentistry. Infancy through adolescence 4th ed, Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co. 2005.
25. Navazesh M, Kumar SK. Measuring salivary flow: challenges and opportunities. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2008;139:35S-40S.
26. Pollard M. Potential cariogenicity of starches and fruits as assessed by the plaque-sampling method and an intraoral cariogenicity test. Caries research. 1995;29(1):68-74.
27. Merdad K, Sonbul H, Bukhary S, Reit C, Birkhed D. Caries susceptibility of endodontically versus nonendodontically treated teeth. Journal of endodontics. 2011;37(2):139-42.
28. Johansson A-K, Lingström P, Birkhed D. Effect of soft drinks on proximal plaque pH at normal and low salivary secretion rates. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2007;65(6):352-6.
29. Moeiny P, Shafizadeh N, Biabani S, Raofie FJJoIDAoI. Evaluation of the effect of three different Iranian industrial fruit juices on plaque ph. 2013;25(3):175-82.
30. Yildiz S, Dogan BJEjod. Self reported dental health attitudes and behaviour of dental students in Turkey. 2011;5(3):253.
31. Mamai-Homata E, Koletsi-Kounari H, Margaritis VJJoISoP, Dentistry C. Gender differences in oral health status and behavior of Greek dental students: A meta-analysis of 1981, 2000, and 2010 data. 2016;6(1):60.
32. Pacauskiene IM, Smailiene D, Siudikienė J, Savanevskyte J, Nedzelskiene IJS. Self-reported oral health behavior and attitudes of dental and technology students in Lithuania. 2014;16(2):65-71.
33. Mortazavi S, Noin S. Plaque pH changes following consumption of two types of plain and bulky bread. Dental research journal. 2011;8(2):80.
34. Kiran Banan L, Hegde A. Plaque and salivary pH changes after consumption of fresh fruit juices. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. 2006;30(1):9-13.
35. Moieni P, Namazi F, Raoufi F, Zahedi Rad SJJoMDS. Comparing the Effect of Chocolate Milk and Plain Milk on Dental Plaque pH. 2016;40(3):269-80.
36. Mirzakhani M, Siavashani MA, Akhavan PS. The effect of different chewing gum on pH of Dental Plaque. Journal of Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. 2014;32(1):45-52.
37. Lif Holgerson P, Stecksen-Blicks C, Sjöström I, Twetman S. Effect of xylitol-containing chewing gums on interdental plaque-pH in habitual xylitol consumers. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2005;63(4):233-8.
38. Edgar W, Higham S, Manning R. Saliva stimulation and caries prevention. Advances in dental research. 1994;8(2):239-45.
39. Amini N, Ramezaninejad S, Raofi FJRDS. Effect of sucrose-containing drugs on the pH of dental plaque in pediatrics. 2013;10(2):90-7.
40. Kleinberg I, Jenkins G. The pH of dental plaques in the different areas of the mouth before and after meals and their relationship to the pH and rate of flow of resting saliva. Archives of oral biology. 1964;9(5):493-516.
41. Curzon M, Hefferren JJBdj. Modern methods for assessing the cariogenic and erosive potential of foods. 2001;191(1):41-6.
42. Frostell G. A method for evaluation of acid potentialities of foods. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 1970;28(5):599-608.
43. Jordan H, Krasse B, Möller A. A method of sampling human dental plaque for certain “caries-inducing” streptococci. Archives of oral biology. 1968;13(8):919-27.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 12, No 4 (Autumn 2025) | |
| Section | Original Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Apricot; Dried fruit; Dental plaque; Dental caries. | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Boskabady M, Ajami B, Moayyed M, Yousefi S, Talafi Noghani M. The Effect of Dried Fruits Consumption on Dental Plaque pH. J Craniomaxillofac Res. 2026;12(4):261-269.
