[Whole saliva flowmetry. Evaluation of 3 measurement technics]

Several methods traditionally have been used to collect and measure whole mouth saliva. The purpose of the study was to determine resting and stimulated whole saliva secretion rates and to evidence decreased saliva production (xerostomia) in outpatients' clinic. In this prospective study, saliva production was quantified by swab weighing, suction method (before and after chewing) and by oral sugar clearance. The 3 methods were carried out in 30 healthy subjects (16 females and 14 males) and 7 subjects with dry mouth (2 females and 5 males). Our results indicate that whole saliva formation can be reliably quantitated by standardized procedures of weighing sterile sponge and suction methods on healthy subjects. But the suction technique was found to be inferior in the group with xerostomia (impossibility of quantitative measurement in 5 patients out of 7). The 3 methods did significantly differ when mean flow rates in the group with xerostomia and in the healthy group were compared (p < 0.01). To conclude, in a physician's office, direct weighing of the swabs can be done easily and more reliable when using a balance that is accurate to 0.1 gm. Oral sugar clearance can be used to screen for xerostomia.