title: Influence of Hypertension on pH of Saliva and Flow Rate in Elder Adults Correlating with Oral Health Status.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most prevalent systemic conditions seen in the elderly individuals is hypertension, but very sparse knowledge regarding the influence of hypertension on oral health in known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between hypertension and salivary pH, flow rate and its effect on oral health status.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 40 elderly individuals above 60 years of age, of which 20 individuals (control group) were normotensive without using any medication and 20 individuals (study group) were hypertensive using anti-hypertensive medication. Stimulated and unstimulated saliva samples were collected from all individuals and pH was measured using saliva pH strips, flow rate was measured using calibrated test tubes and was correlated with oral health status. Then the values were sent for statistical analysis where unpaired t-test, chi-square test were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that there was no significant association of hypertension with stimulated and unstimulated flow rate, rather there was a significant association of hyper-tension with stimulated salivary pH i.e., there was a significant decrease in the pH of stimulated saliva. The study also revealed a significant association with presence of bleeding on probing and periodontal pockets in individuals who were hypertensive and using anti-hypertensive medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hence, it is a necessity to monitor blood pressure for reconstruction and maintenance of oral health in older adults. More longitudinal studies are to be carried out to explore further relationship between oral health and hypertension in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences , Nizamabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Vijayalaxmi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nimma
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences , Nizamabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Harshavardhan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Talla
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences , Nizamabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Manasa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poosa
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences , Nizamabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Madhulatha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gopaladas
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences , Nizamabad, Telangana, India .
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meesala
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Government Dental College , Mumbai, Maharashtra, India .
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jayanth
keywords: Anti-hypertensive medication; Bleeding on probing; Periodontal pocket