Estimation and Comparision of Salivary Flow Rate and pH in Tobacco Smokers, Chewers and Non-Users

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare the salivary flow rate and pH in Tobacco smokers, chewers and tobacco non-users. METHODOLOGY: The study consisted of a total of 90 patients divided into three groups, a control group of 30 subjects who were tobacco non users and group of 30 subjects each in tobacco smokers and chewers. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Subjects with removable dentures, pregnant women, patients with history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy, patients with systemic or salivary gland disorders, patients under drug therapy, patients with any lesions in the oral cavity, patients with high DMFT index were excluded from the study. The subjects were asked to abstain from eating, using oral hygiene products, consumption of alcohol and using any form of tobacco for atleast 2 hours before collection of saliva. All samples were collected between 9am and 12 noon to avoid diurnal variation. The patients were made to sit comfortably in the dental chair and asked to rinse their mouth with water. The subjects were asked to pool saliva in the mouth for one whole minute and then were asked to spit in the given sterile container at the end of the minute. This process was continued for 10 minutes, till the patient spat 10 times. The mean saliva was taken as the Salivary Flow Rate, expressed in ml/ minute. pH was measured using Lutron digital pH meter with platinum electrode encased in glass body. RESULT: There was a significant decrease in salivary flow rate and pH in tobacco users compared to non-users. Also men had higher salivary flow rate and pH compared to women CONCLUSION: Tobacco has a significant deleterious effect on the salivary flow rate and pH which may in turn predispose the oral cavity to risk of development of various lesions