Secretion rate and buffer effect of resting and stimulated whole saliva in relation to general health

The aim of this investigation was to study the possible relationship between general health and the salivary secretion rate and buffer effect. Based on the results of duplicate salivary tests, 92 consecutive dental patients with a very low secretion rate and/or buffer effect of resting and/or stimulated whole saliva were referred for a medical examination, which included blood and urine analyses. Various medical findings were made for 39 per cent of these patients. As comparison, the same medical and salivary variables were studied in 50 subjects who participated in medical screening programs. Medical findings were made for 32 per cent of the subjects, of whom only about one fourth had one or more very low salivary values. For both groups, no statistically significant difference was found for any of the variables studied when comparing individuals with and without medical findings. Therefore, the results obtained did not indicate a relationship between impaired health and a very low salivary secretion rate and/or buffer effect of whole saliva.