[The effects of chewing mastic on various salivary parameters]

Mastic is a resin derived from the mastic tree (Pistacia lentiscus). The scent of mastic is known to have a stimulating effect on salivary secretion. The present study aimed to measure the effect of chewing mastic on various salivary parameters. For comparison, chewing parafilm, a tasteless wax, and a commercially available chewing gum were included. This study was conducted with 35 participants. Saliva samples were collected on 3 separate days, with each participant receiving 1 of the 3 chewing stimuli on each study day. Salivary flow rate, pH, and spinnbarkeit were determined. The results showed that chewing mastic, like chewing gum, increased salivary flow and pH compared to chewing parafilm. Chewing mastic resulted in the highest increase in salivary pH. In all cases, spinnbarkeit decreased after chewing; this effect was least pronounced when chewing gum.