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Estimation of the total saliva volume produced per day in five-year-old children
S Watanabe1, M Ohnishi, K Imai
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Health Sciences, University of Hokkaido, Japan.
Insights
This study measured salivary flow rates and daily saliva production in children. Results indicate approximately 500 ml of saliva is produced daily, with higher rates during eating.
Area of Science:
- Oral physiology
- Human physiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Saliva plays a crucial role in oral health, including lubrication, digestion, and buffering.
- Understanding daily salivary production is essential for assessing oral fluid balance and potential xerostomia (dry mouth).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify salivary flow rates during rest and mastication in children.
- To estimate total daily salivary volume production in a pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Participants (15 boys, 15 girls) recorded daily activities (eating, sleeping, awake time) for two days.
- Salivary flow rates were measured under unstimulated conditions and during mastication of six different foods.
Main Results:
- Mean unstimulated salivary flow rate was 0.26 +/- 0.16 ml/min.
- Mean stimulated salivary flow rate during chewing was 3.6 +/- 0.8 ml/min.
- Estimated total daily salivary volume produced was approximately 500 ml, with significant contributions during eating periods.
Conclusions:
- Children exhibit distinct salivary flow rates during rest and mastication.
- Daily saliva production in children is substantial, with eating significantly stimulating saliva output.
- These findings provide baseline data for pediatric salivary physiology.
Abstract:
Fifteen boys and 15 girls were asked to record for 2 days the time spent awake, eating meals or snacks, and sleeping. The salivary flow rates elicited by chewing foods were also determined. The mean flow rate (+/- SD) of unstimulated saliva was 0.26 +/- 0.16 ml/min and that of saliva while chewing six different foods was 3.6 +/- 0.8 ml/min. The mean times spent eating, and awake but not eating, were 80.8 +/- 27.3 and 820 +/- 59 min, respectively, and the volumes of saliva produced during those periods would average about 288 and 208 ml, respectively. If the flow rate is virtually zero during sleep, the estimated total salivary volume produced per day is calculated to be about 500 ml.