Salivary Flow Rate, pH and Buffering Capacity in Pregnant and Non Pregnant Women - A Comparative Study

Abstract

The objective of this article is to evaluate salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity of saliva in pregnant and non pregnant women. The present study was a comparison between 30 pregnant women in their third trimester and 30 non pregnant women, in the age group of 19-34 years. The salivary flow, pH, and buffering capacity was measured using Saliva-check BUFFER kit (GC Corporation). Both unstimulated and paraffin stimulated saliva was measured for 5 min by asking the subjects to spit passively into a measuring jar provided in the kit. The pH and buffering capacity of unstimulated saliva was measured using a pH and buffering strips provided in the kit. Unpaired Student t test showed a statically significant increase in the salivary flow and a decrease in the pH and buffering capacity in the pregnant group when compare to the non pregnant group. The increase in the salivary flow rate in pregnant women could be attributed to the increase in the estrogen and progesterone concentration during pregnancy. The decrease in the pH and buffer capacity is due to the decrease in the plasma HCO3ion concentration and an increase in α amylase concentration during pregnancy.

A comparative evaluation of salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, calcium and total protein levels in pregnant and non pregnant women

“…Hence, it plays a major role in maintenance of oral health. 8 Present study revealed that the salivary flow rate and pH of saliva decreased in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women. Similar results has also been obtained by Rockenbach M, et al 9 who did a cross sectional study in 2006 to compare the salivary flow rate, pH on 22 pregnant and non-pregnant women in Obstertics and Gyneocology clinics in Sao Lucas Hospital in Brazil.…”

The biochemistry of saliva throughout pregnancy

“…6,12,13,15,[19][20][21][22][23][24] Among all the analysis performed, and taking together previous studies and the present study, we can confidently assume that pregnancy reduces non-stimulated saliva pH. 6,12,13,19,21 The decrease of saliva pH during pregnancy may be partially justified by the higher number of daily meals. 6,26 The acidic saliva throughout pregnancy represents a risk factor for dental caries development.…”

“…14,15,21,23,34,35 Regarding salivary flow rate, most studies, including ours, reported no changes between pregnant and nonpregnant women; 6,13,19,20 however, Naveen et al 12 showed higher rates for either stimulated or non-stimulated saliva. In addition, reports regarding salivary flow rate throughout pregnancy are controversial, 34,35 suggesting that many factors may regulate this flow during pregnancy.…”

“…7,8 Some short-term changes in salivary flow rates, pH, buffering capacity, and biochemical composition, during pregnancy have been reported. 3,6,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Changes in salivary composition and flow rate may compromise the integrity of the soft and hard tissues in the oral cavity. Saliva provides calcium, phosphate and proteins and clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Arrabida Hospital, Porto, Portugal, for routine examination.…”

Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and related drug use among pregnant women of South-Western Nigeria

“…It is believed that it occurs as an accompaniment of nausea during the first trimester as a result of increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone. 23,24 Although, this raises the question as to why sialorrhoea is not expressed in as many pregnancies as nausea.…”