Salivary and microbial conditions in patients with orofacial discomfort complaints

Secretion rate, pH, and buffer capacity of paraffin-stimulated saliva and the prevalence of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli were examined in 98 consecutive patients (22 men, 76 women) referred for orofacial discomfort complaints related to 'oral galvanism'. The results of this investigation were compared with those of a group of 100 patients without symptoms and complaints. The patients with orofacial symptoms and complaints had significantly fewer teeth with amalgam fillings than patients without, despite equal mean number of teeth in the two groups. Most patients had normal secretion rate and pH of saliva but somewhat low values of salivary buffer capacity. Determination of saliva conductivity showed values within a normal reference interval but lower than those from a group of subjects without orofacial symptoms and complaints. The salivary levels of cariogenic bacteria were low.