Perbedaan Efektivitas Mengunyah Buah Pir (Pyrus) Dan Buah Jeruk (Citrus sinensis) Terhadap Debris Indeks Dan Ph Saliva

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral pH balance and influencing debris accumulation on tooth surfaces. Chewing fibrous fruits can stimulate salivary flow and provide a mechanical cleansing effect, which may contribute to changes in the debris index and salivary pH. Pears (Pyrus) contain catechins and dietary fiber (3.1 g per 100 g), while oranges (Citrus sinensis) are rich in vitamins and flavonoids that may support oral health. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of chewing pears and oranges on changes in the debris index and salivary pH. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest–posttest design was conducted among 59 children aged 9–11 years at SD Negeri 39 Cakke. Participants were randomly allocated to two nearly equal groups: the pear-chewing group (n=30) and the orange-chewing group (n=29). The debris index was assessed using standard debris index criteria, and salivary pH was measured using pH paper before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann–Whitney U test, with a significance level set at p