Some effects of bone meal and NaF tablets on the composition of saliva

Whole saliva was collected from dental students while: 1) chewing paraffin, 2) sucking bone meal tablets, and 3) sucking NaF tablets. Initial pH, content of ionized and total calcium and content of fluoride in saliva were measured. As compared to paraffin stimulated saliva, the sucking of bone meal tablets caused a decrease in salivary pH, ionized calcium and fluoride. Sucking NaF tablets caused a fall in initial pH and an increase in total calcium, while the amount of ionized calcium remained unchanged. The content of fluoride was high in saliva during sucking of NaF tablets.