The oral cavity has specific and individualized characteristics, with pH, saliva flow, buffer capacity, temperature, and microorganisms content influencing oral health. Currently, the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is constantly increasing. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the saliva quantity at 5 min, salivary pH, and salivary buffer capacity in patients with and without GERD, necessary for establishing the correct dental treatment plan. A Saliva-Check Buffer (GC) kit was used for the determination of salivary variables. The total number of 80 patients included in the study were divided into a study group and a control group, each containing 40 patients. Saliva quantity at 5 min was lower in patients suffering from GERD. The salivary pH of these patients turned to acid values compared to the salivary pH of controls, where the values were within the normal range. In patients with GERD, the determined salivary buffer capacity was low or very low. The use of the Saliva-Check Buffer (GC) kit is a simple, easy, non-invasive and patient-accepted method, which can also be used in the dentist’s office to assess the saliva buffer capacity and pH, variables that are important for establishing a correct dental treatment plan.

Fiber-reinforced composites are used as restorative materials for prosthetic oral rehabilitation. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an accustomed affection with various oral manifestations. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of two high-performance CAD/CAM milled reinforced composites (Trinia™, TriLor) in artificial saliva at different pH levels through immersion tests, and to determine if changes in mass or surface morphology at variable pH, specific for patients affected by GERD, appear. After investigating the elemental composition and surface morphology, the specimens were immersed in Carter Brugirard artificial saliva for 21 days at different pH values (5.7, 7.6, and varying the pH from 5.7 to 3). The values of the weighed masses during the immersion tests were statistically processed in terms of mean and standard deviation. Results suggested that irrespective of the medium pH, the two composites presented a similar mass variation in the range of −0.18 (±0.01)–1.82 (±0.02) mg after immersion, suggesting their stability when in contact with artificial saliva, an aspect which was also highlighted by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis performed on the immersed surfaces. Novel composite biomaterials can be a proper alternative for metal alloys used for prosthetic frameworks in patients suffering from GERD.

Mouthrinse solutions represent a group of products used for maintaining oral hygiene after tooth brushing. Substances contained by plants bring benefits for the whole mouth health. The purpose of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of a commercial mouthwash and of an herbal infusion on dental plaque formation and gingival inflammation. The participants in the study (90 patients) were divided into two groups, the CM group, which rinsed with a commercial fluoride-containing mouthwash and the IM group, which used an herbal infusion. The Silness–Loe plaque index (PI) and the Loe–Silness gingival index (GI) were assessed at baseline and in three following monitoring sessions. Both mouthwashes used had good results in reducing plaque index and gingival index values. In all monitoring sessions, the average PI value calculated in the CM group was relatively lower than in the IM group, probably because of the fluoride contained in the commercial mouthwash. The average GI value calculated in the CM group was slightly higher in showing gingival inflammation than that of the IM group, therefore the IM group had a better average result than the CM group in GI value. Herbal mouthwashes are adequate to induce proper oral prevention through the preservation of good oral health.