Salivary pH and buffering capacity among gastroesophageal reflux disease patients with dental erosion.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease creates a persistently acidic oral environment that compromises salivary protective mechanisms and promotes dental erosion. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate salivary pH and buffering capacity in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and their association with dental erosion compared to healthy controls. Hence, a total of 120 participants (60 GERD patients and 60 controls) underwent salivary analysis and clinical assessment using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination index. GERD patients demonstrated significantly lower salivary pH and buffering capacity along with higher prevalence and severity of dental erosion (p<0.001). Impaired salivary protective factors in GERD patients highlight the importance of early diagnosis and preventive strategies to reduce erosion risk.