In this study, the null hypothesis was tested that topical application
of standard buffer solutions, pH 7.00 and pH 4.01, to 4-day-old plaqu
e deposits accumulated in situ causes the plaque to attain the pH valu
es of the buffer solutions applied. Following a 4-day abstention from
all oral hygiene procedures, the plaque pH of four interdental sites i
n each of 5 volunteers was measured at resting state and following top
ical applications of buffers pH 7 and pH 4. Later the same day plaque
pH was measured following rinses with the buffers. Topical application
of buffer pH 7 caused a plaque pH increase from a mean value of 6.40
to 6.59 within 30 s, while buffer pH 4 caused plaque pH to drop to a m
ean value of 5.11. Rinsing with buffers caused plaque pH to increase t
o 6.50 (buffer pH 7) and to drop to 4.99 (buffer pH 4). Statistical an
alysis of the results led to rejection of the null hypothesis. The res
ults thus indicated that the validity of the in situ approach of calib
ration of plaque-covered indwelling electrodes may be questioned.