Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Salivation in healthy schoolchildren

Liselotte J C Rotteveel1, Peter H Jongerius, Jacques van Limbeek

  • 1Department of Rehabilitation, University Medical Centre 'St. Radboud', P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen (internal code 720), The Netherlands.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|May 6, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Salivary flow rate in healthy children aged 6-11 years is consistent, unaffected by age or gender. This data aids in treating drooling in children with special needs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Oral Physiology

Background:

  • Reference data on salivary flow rate is crucial for managing conditions like drooling.
  • Understanding normal salivary function in children is essential for effective treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish reference values for unstimulated salivary flow rate in healthy 6-11-year-old children.
  • To provide data for the management of drooling in handicapped children.

Main Methods:

  • Unstimulated saliva was collected from 62 healthy children (aged 6-11) using the swab method under standard conditions.
  • Salivary flow rate was measured by the weight increase of cotton rolls after 5 minutes.
  • The influence of age, gender, and gland type on salivary flow rate was analyzed.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in salivary flow rate were observed between boys and girls, or across the 6-11 age range.
  • The swab method demonstrated good reproducibility for salivary flow rate measurement.
  • Parotid glands exhibited equal flow rates (0.15 ml/min), while submandibular and sublingual glands secreted 0.32 ml/min.

Conclusions:

  • Age and gender do not influence salivary flow rate in healthy 6-11-year-old children, simplifying measurement protocols.
  • The swab method is a reliable, easy-to-perform, and well-tolerated technique for assessing salivary flow rate in schoolchildren.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers08:25

Collecting Saliva and Measuring Salivary Cortisol and Alpha-amylase in Frail Community Residing Older Adults via Family Caregivers

Published on: December 18, 2013

A Method for the Measurement of Salivary Gland Function in Mice07:29

A Method for the Measurement of Salivary Gland Function in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Salivary Glands and Saliva01:23

Salivary Glands and Saliva

The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Classical Conditioning01:18

Classical Conditioning

Associative learning, a core principle in behavioral psychology, involves forming connections between events and facilitating learned responses. This concept is vividly illustrated by classical conditioning, a process extensively studied by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov. Pavlov's pioneering research on dogs' digestive systems led to the discovery that behaviors can be learned through association, laying the groundwork for classical conditioning.
Ivan Pavlov observed that dogs salivated...
Oral Cavity01:11

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
What is Monogastric Digestion?01:50

What is Monogastric Digestion?

The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.