Special Patient Populations Practice Test

Decreased buffers during pregnancy lead to which change in salivary pH?

Increased pH Decreased pH No change Variable

Correct Answer:

Decreased pH

Explanation:

When saliva’s buffering system is reduced, it loses its ability to neutralize acids produced by bacteria. Saliva normally contains buffers like bicarbonate and phosphate that keep the pH around neutral to slightly basic. With fewer buffers available, those acids aren’t neutralized as effectively, so the pH drops and the saliva becomes more acidic. This aligns with the idea that decreased buffering leads to a lower salivary pH. Increased pH or no change would require more buffering or no change in acid production, which doesn’t fit the mechanism here; the result is a decreased pH.

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