Impact of Tobacco on Salivary Flow Rate and Salivary pH
Author(s): Fazail Ahmad* and Aarati Panchbhai
Abstract
Saliva is a unique oral cavity secretion that will get exposed to possibly dangerous tobacco product components. Tobacco usage may cause alternations in the Salivary Flow Rate (SFR) and salivary PH. The Salivary Flow Rate (SFR) and salivary pH were evaluated in patients who smoked or used a smokeless tobacco product. A number of papers were reviewed to analyse the salivary flow rate and pH in tobacco users, the previous studies included subjects in various groups as who smoked, used smokeless tobacco, or had a combination of smoking and smokeless tobacco habits. SFR and pH were determined using Schirmer tear strips, pH strips, and other devices. A statistically significant decline in SFR was seen in the habit groups when compared to the control groups. Only in the smokeless tobacco consumption group was a statistically significant fall in salivary pH detected when compared to the control group. Subjects with lesions had a considerable decrease in SFR and a borderline decrease in PH.
Based on present review work, it is possible to infer that long-term tobacco either smoke or smokeless use considerably lowers salivary flow rate or salivary pH, the changes in these measures may be an early indicator of oral mucosal degeneration.