Simplified method to estimate salivary buffer capacity

A new and simplified method to estimate the salivary buffer capacity was tested. The method, Dentobuff Strip, consists of a pH indicator paper that has been impregnated with acid. A small volume of saliva is added to the strip and after 5 min the color of the strip is compared with a chart. The colors have been chosen to indicate low, medium, or good buffer capacity. The buffer capacity of stimulated saliva samples from 62 subjects was measured with the new method and compared with two commonly used clinical methods, Dentobuff, and an electrometric method. The three methods correlated well, and patients with a low salivary buffer capacity (final pH less than or equal to 4), according to the electrometric method, were readily identified with the new Dentobuff Strip method.