Qualitative and quantitative salivary changes and subjective oral dryness among patients with thyroid dysfunction

There is a paucity of literature regarding the effects of thyroid disorders on the oral cavity by influencing the salivary gland function.

This study aims to understand the qualitative and quantitative changes that thyroid disorder can cause in the salivary function.

After obtaining ethical clearance, 46 consecutive newly diagnosed thyroid dysfunction patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, along with 45 age-and sex-matched controls.

Unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, pH, and buffering capacity of the whole saliva were studied in addition to subjective oral dryness in the study participants.

The independent t-test was employed to compare the means between the two groups and Pearson's Chi-square test was used to assess the goodness of fit.

The findings showed that females are more affected with thyroid disorders and that hypothyroidism is more commonly reported than hyperthyroidism. A significant reduction in the salivary flow rates and buffering capacity was observed among the affected group compared to the controls, whereas the salivary pH did not show significant differences between genders and also between the case and control groups. A feeling of subjective oral dryness was perceived by many affected patients.

The study was able to establish an association between thyroid dysfunction and salivary gland function. We hope that this study leads to more high-impact research in this field as salivary diagnostics is gaining more popularity with every passing day.