Long-term effect of tobacco on resting whole mouth salivary flow rate and pH: An institutional based comparative study

Abstract

Background: Saliva is the first biological fluid that is exposed to tobacco and is responsible for its changes especially the salivary flow rate (SFR) and salivary pH. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the long-term effects of tobacco on SFR and pH between tobacco chewers, smokers, and controls. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 Subjects were divided equally into tobacco smokers (group A), chewers (group B), and controls (group C). Saliva of each subject was collected under resting condition and SFR was expressed in mL/min for 10 min. Salivary pH was determined using the specific salivary pH strips. Results: The mean (±SD) SFR for group A; 4.34 (±0.3), group B; 3.07 (±0.26) and group C; 5.65 (±0.44) mL/min when compared and a significant relation was obtained. The mean (±SD) pH for group A; 6.8 (±0.1), group B; 6.7 (±0.1) and group C; 7.04 (±0.1) when compared and a non-significant relation was obtained though, lower salivary pH were observed in group A and B. Conclusion:Present study indicates that the SFR decreases appreciably among tobacco abusers especially more among smokeless form. A lower (acidic) salivary pH was observed in tobacco users as compared with control. These alterations in SFR and pH due to long-term effect of tobacco user can render oral mucosa vulnerable to various oral and dental diseases.

Preliminary findings on the correlation of saliva pH, buffering capacity, flow rate and consistency in relation to waterpipe tobacco smoking

“…The chronic effects of cigarette use on flow rate are still unclear. While some studies [ 15 , 17 ] reported a decrease of ECS flow rate when compared to non-smokers, another study [ 2 ] showed similar results between the two groups. This study supports the absence of effect of WTS on flow rate.…”

“…Moreover, the effects of cigarette smoking on the above data have also been rarely evaluated in the literature. [ 2 , 13 – 17 ]…”

“…[ 2 , 13 – 17 ] While some studies reported a decrease in flow rate [ 15 , 17 ] and pH [ 14 , 17 ] in exclusive cigarette smokers (ECS) when compared to non-smokers, another study [ 2 ] showed similar results between the two groups. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, all the published studies concerned cigarette smokers [ 2 , 13 – 17 ] while no study included exclusive waterpipe smokers (EWPS). This form of tobacco use (better known as ‘narghile’ or ‘sheesha’ in the Arab world) has traditionally been associated with the Eastern Mediterranean region, Southeast Asia and Northern Africa.…”

“…For example, nicotine, a toxic component of WTS (smoke​​​ from one gram of waterpipe tobacco includes 2.96 mg of nicotine [ 18 ]) may act on certain cholinergic receptors in the brain and on other organs causing neural activation leading to altered salivary secretion. [ 17 ] The hypothesis that WTS may alter saliva is therefore made and this study aimed at comparing some salivary characteristics (e.g. flow rate, pH, buffering capacity and consistency) between EWPS and non-smokers.…”

Evaluation of the Salivary Flow Rate and pH in Patients with Recurrent Oral Ulcers

“…However, Al Taee in 2010 did not find significant difference of pH between genders. 4,10,11 The saliva flow also eliminates carbohydrates timely which if metabolized by oral bacteriacan result in acid production altering oral pH. With the rise of salivary flow rate, it has been found that bicarbonate concentration also markedly increases.…”