Effect of habitual arecanut chewing on resting whole mouth salivary flow rate and pH.
BACKGROUND
Resting whole mouth salivary flow rate (SFR) and pH play a significant role in pathogenesis of various oral diseases and conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of habitual use of arecanut and various arecanut containing products (AN) on SFR and pH.


METHODS
Cross sectional.


METHODS
Outpatient Department of Dental College.


METHODS
AN chewers and non-chewers attending Dental college.


METHODS
SFR and pH.


METHODS
Type, frequency, duration and exposure time of AN, Smoking and Alcohol habit.


METHODS
Subjects study was divided into chewers (n=110) and non- chewers (n=50). The SFR (expressed in mL/10min) and pH measured.


RESULTS
The difference between the mean SFR for chewers and non-chewers was not statistically significant. The difference between mean pH of chewers and non-chewers was statistically significant. (P=0.02). Difference in pH was statistically significant among the different types of AN chewers (P=0.024). With chewing raw AN, an increase in frequency and exposure time increased SFR and pH respectively. In processed AN chewers, increase in duration and frequency of consumption increased SFR and decreased pH respectively. For chewers with betel quid with tobacco, increase in duration was significantly associated with decrease in salivary pH.


CONCLUSIONS
SFR and pH are altered in AN chewers, rendering the oral mucosa vulnerable to the toxic effects of AN.
Rooban
T
T
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, 2/ 102, East Coast Road, Uthandi, Chennai - 600 119, India. drtroobanmds@rediffmail.com
Mishra
G
G
Elizabeth
J
J
Ranganathan
K
K
Saraswathi
T R
TR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000187:drug effects; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D009055:Mouth / Q000187:drug effects*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors