A Comparison of Stimulated Salivary Measurement Procedures--Masticatory and Gustatory

Objectives: Variations of salivary flow rate (sialometry) and salivary composition (sialochemistry) reflect salivary gland function. The methods of collection the stimulated saliva include masticatory and gustatory stimulation techniques. The goal of the study is to evaluate the saliva flow rates induced by masticatory and gustatory stimulation techniques to discuss the possibility of simplifying clinical practices.

Methods: Thirty subjects were students from Capital University of Medical Science. During a three-day examination, each subject had undergone a series of tests, resting whole salivary and chewing stimulation whole salivary performed on the first day, gustatory stimulation whole salivary (gustatory stimulus was 2% citric acid solution) performed on the second day, gustatory stimulation whole salivary with parotid saliva flow rate by using Lashley cups performed on the third day. Analysis of salivary composition included K+, Na+, Cl-, amylase and SIgA.

Results: The three collecting methods for stimulating salivary flow produced no significantly different mean whole mouth flow rate levels. The difference in concentration of K+, Na+, Cl- among the three stimulating saliva was no significant. Although the rhythms in concentration of K+ between the resting and stimulating saliva were similar, concentrations of Na+, Cl- were much higher in stimulating saliva. Concentration of amylase was no significant difference for four whole salivary.

Conclusions: The flow rate measures obtained with the masticatory and gustatory stimulation techniques used in this study were almost interchangeable in clinical research. The rhythms of Na+, Cl-, K+ concentration in the resting and stimulating condition may be induced by different transport mechanisms.