The Effect of CPP-ACP (Casein Phosphopeptide Amorphous Calcium Phosphate) on Salivary pH Changes in Children

Abstract

Background: Salivary pH plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the oral environment. An excessively acidic salivary condition may increase the risk of enamel demineralization and dental caries. Children aged 6–12 years are particularly vulnerable to oral health problems because they are in the mixed-dentition period. One potential preventive agent is casein phosphopeptide–amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), which contains calcium and phosphate and may help maintain mineral balance and oral pH. This study aimed to determine the effect of CPP-ACP use on changes in salivary pH among children aged 6–12 years at SDN 12 Banda Aceh. Methods: This quantitative study employed a pre-experimental design using a one-group pretest–posttest design without a control group. The sample consisted of 77 children. Salivary pH was measured before and after CPP-ACP application using pH indicator paper by matching the resulting color with the standard indicator scale. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at a significance level of ? = 0.05. Results: The mean salivary pH increased from 5.9351 to 6.8312. Before CPP-ACP application, 80.5% of respondents had acidic salivary pH, 14.3% had neutral pH, and 5.2% had alkaline pH. After application, 14.3% had acidic pH and 85.7% had neutral pH. Fifty-nine respondents experienced an increase in pH, four experienced a decrease, and 14 showed no change. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test yielded p = 0.001 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: CPP-ACP application significantly affected salivary pH and tended to increase salivary pH toward a neutral condition