Effects of an experimental diet on parotid saliva and dental plaque pH in institutionalized children

Health benefits of saliva: a review

“…33,34 Modification of the diet of institutionalised children to be less acidogenic, less retentive and of firmer texture resulted in a 40% increase in the flow rate of stimulated parotid saliva, as well as an increased plaque pH. 35 We showed that salivary flow rates were significantly correlated with maximal bite force. 36 The flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva was significantly increased when human subjects chewed four sticks of sugar-free gum per day for eight weeks.…”

Saliva and gastrointestinal functions of taste, mastication, swallowing and digestion

“…Generally, there is little evidence that differences in diet can exert systemic effects on salivary flow rate and composition. However, a regular diet that requires considerable mastication or a rigid chewing gum regimen in addition to a normal diet has been shown to increase parotid salivary flow rate (Johnson and Sreebny, 1982; DeMuniz et al , 1983; Dodds and Johnson, 1993). The masticatory process seems to be crucial for GI absorption of a number of essential foods like meat and vegetables, but not to others such as bread, cheese, rice, fish, and egg (Farrell, 1956).…”

How are macronutrient intake, BMI, ethnicity, age, and gender related to the composition of unstimulated saliva? A case study

“…A shift from a low‐ to high‐carbohydrate diet for a period of 3 months was sufficient to considerably increase amylase activity. By reducing the intake of carbohydrates, increasing the intake of fat, and replacing vegetable by animal protein for a period of 45 days, de Muñiz, Maresca, Tumilasci, and Perec () observed a 40% increase in the flow of stimulated parotid saliva in children. Total protein content and pH of saliva increased, while the concentration of inorganic phosphate decreased.…”