The pH of gingival crevices and periodontal pockets in children, teenagers and adults
Abstract
Gingival crevice and periodontal pocket pH, measured directly with glass micro-electrodes, was near neutral at most sites in most individuals (mean pH 6.92 +/- 0.03 SEM, 69 subjects). Periodontal state ranged from healthy to periodontitis but neither clinical evidence of gingivitis at a site nor pocket depth were associated with crevicular pH different from that at healthy sites. This finding contradicts earlier reports that gingivitis is associated with a crevicular pH as alkaline as pH 9.06. Metallic antimony electrodes as used by earlier investigators were found to give pH readings that were too high by as much as 1.5 pH units in the presence of organic reducing agents of the type produced by oral bacteria within gingival crevices. In contrast, glass micro-electrodes respond only to hydrogen ions and thereby provided accurate measurements of pH even in the presence of organic reducing agents. Loss of CO2 to the atmosphere from biological fluids that are bicarbonate buffered resulted in a shift to alkaline pH by as much as 1 pH unit. As a result, only measurements taken within gingival crevices or periodontal pockets can provide accurate measurements of crevice or pocket pH.
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Overreliance on strong acidic assumptions when formulating release mechanisms may compromise the physiological relevance and translational potential of pH-responsive systems for periodontal applications.
“Overreliance on strong acidic assumptions when formulating release mechanisms may therefore compromise the physiological relevance and translational potential of such systems.74”
From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [74]
In situ microelectrode measurements of gingival crevicular fluid and periodontal pocket pH indicate that most sites remain close to neutral, and the relationship between pH changes and inflammation severity cannot be simply described as pronounced acidification.
“in situ microelectrode measurements of gingival crevicular fluid and periodontal pocket pH indicate that most sites remain close to neutral, and the relationship between pH changes and inflammation severity cannot be simply described as pronounced acidification.”
From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [74]
In vitro antibacterial assays, simplified biofilm models, release studies, and selected animal models show that PDA-based systems can achieve biofilm inhibition, ROS regulation, localized drug release, photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial effects, and inflammation control.
“In vitro antibacterial assays, simplified biofilm models, release studies, and selected animal models show biofilm inhibition, ROS regulation, localized drug release, photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial effects, and inflammation control.”
From Polydopamine-Based Biomaterials in Oral Medicine: Applications, Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [74]
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Yang, Z., Song, W., Lv, L., Zhai, S., Liu, Y., Cui, H., Li, X., Gao, F., & Chu, S. (2026) · International Journal of Nanomedicine · doi:10.2147/ijn.s611922
“74 pH-responsive release: PDA-based nanocarriers with pH-responsive drug release behavior have been extensively developed, as shown in Figure 6.”
- Authors
- Eggert, F. M., Drewell, L., Bigelow, J. A., Speck, J. E., & Goldner, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Alberta (CA)
- University of Toronto (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Eggert, F.M.
- Venue
- Archives of Oral Biology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1991
- Volume
- 36
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 233-238
- ISSN
- 0003-9969 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2159492867
- Cited by
- 108
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Archives of Oral Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Bioengineering › Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Dental Health and Care Utilization
- Keywords
- gingival crevicular fluid, periodontitis, gingivitis, glass microelectrodes, antimony electrode, reducing agents, bicarbonate buffering, CO2 loss, probing depth, oral bacteria
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Carbon Dioxide, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Gingiva, Gingivitis, Glass, Humans, Hydrogen-Ion Concentration, Male, Microelectrodes, Middle Aged, Oxidation-Reduction, Periodontal Pocket, Saliva, Reproducibility of Results
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