Numerous types of practices have been developed over a period of time and have been traditionally followed by various cultures. Chewing of fennel seeds is one of such practices. Scientifically known as foeniculum vulgare, seeds of this plant are commonly chewed after food in Indian sub-continent. Aim of this study was to know the effect of chewing fennel seeds on plaque pH and salivary pH.

Twenty subjects were recruited based on eligibility criteria and were informed not to use any oral hygiene measures 24 hours prior to appointment. Plaque was collected to represent buccal surfaces of posterior teeth. For measurement of salivary pH, 2 ml of stimulated saliva was collected. Baseline pH was determined for both plaque and saliva using a calibrated glass combination electrode. After the subjects chewed seeds for five minutes resultant plaque and salivary pH were measured again. A third saliva sample was taken and pH measured five minutes later.

A highly significant but a very transient drop in salivary pH on chewing the seeds was observed. However plaque pH did not show any significant change.

The drop in pH is not sustained and is returning to normal limits within five minutes after chewing the seeds suggesting that the seeds have very little Cariogenic potential.