Abstract

Stevia leaves (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is a bunch of Asteraceae family who has an antibacterial effect that can cope with carious bacteria in the teeth. Stevia leaves are also a natural sweetener that is 300 times sweeter than sucrose with characteristics as antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial. In sugar starch dissolves and is converted by bacteria in plaque so that saliva pH becomes acidic. Acidity in the oral cavity by the rhythm of day and night, diet, and stimulating the speed of secretion. The purpose of this research is to know the change of saliva pH before and after drinking stevia sugar solution at the students of dental nurse department 6th semester Poltekkes kemenkes Semarang 2017.This type of research is descriptive quantitative. Using trial and trial of gruop design with control group. The population of this research is the students of dental nurse department 6th semester Poltekkes kemenkes Semarang as many as 135 people. The sample used as many as 34 people divided into 2 groups of 17 people. Data analysis used is descriptive quantitative.The results showed a difference between drinking alcohol and minerals, with changes in salivary pH before drinking. Stevia is 7.2 whereas after drinking is 7.05 the difference is 0.15. And the result of drinking mineral water by 0.4 from which wake up 6.84 and after drinking to 7.24. It is expected that people after consuming foods and drinks containing sugar are neutralized by consuming mineral water so that saliva pH in the oral cavity is normal. Because the use of sugar in foods and beverages will decrease saliva pH so risky.Keywords: stevia sugar, saliva pH