Quantitative assessment for stimulated saliva flow rate and buffering capacity in relation to different ages

Moritsuka, Michiyo; Kitasako, Yuichi; Burrow, Michael F.; Ikeda, Masaomi; Tagami, Junji; Nomura, Satoshi

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2006.01.004

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Volume 34, Issue 9 , Pages 716-720, October 2006

Quantitative assessment for stimulated saliva flow rate and buffering capacity in relation to different ages

Michiyo Moritsuka
- Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
- Corresponding author at: Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 5-45 Yushima 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan. Tel.: +81 3 5803 5483; fax: +81 3 5803 0195.
Yuichi Kitasako
- Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
Michael F. Burrow
- School of Dental Science, The University of Melbourne, 711 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Vic. 3000, Australia
Masaomi Ikeda
- Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
Junji Tagami
- Cariology and Operative Dentistry, Department of Restorative Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
- Center of Excellence Program for Frontier Research on Molecular Destruction and Reconstruction of Tooth and Bone, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
Satoshi Nomura
- R&D Center, HORIBA Ltd., 2 Miyanohigashi, Kisshoin, Minami-ku, Kyoto 601-8510, Japan

Received 23 August 2005; received in revised form 4 November 2005; accepted 16 January 2006.

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate salivary flow rate and buffering capacity using a quantitative pH measurement among three broad age groups.

Methods

The population consisting of 117 patients was classified into three age groups: young, middle-aged, and elderly group. The volume of stimulated saliva after chewing gum was measured. Saliva samples were titrated with 0.1N HCl to evaluate the buffering capacity. Saliva pH change was measured directly using a hand-held pH meter. At the point of 50μL of titrated HCl, individual salivary buffering capacities were ranked into one of the following three categories; high buffering capacity (above pH 5.5), medium buffering capacity (from pH 5.5 to 4.5), and low buffering capacity (below pH 4.5).

Results

χ²-test showed that the proportional distribution of individuals in the three buffering capacity groups was not statistically different among the age groups (p>0.05). One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test showed the flow rate of stimulated whole saliva in the young group was significantly greater than that of the middle-aged and elderly groups (p<0.05). Two-way ANOVA showed there was no significant interaction between the independent variables buffering capacity and age group (F=0.419, p=0.7950). One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test indicated the flow rate showed significant differences among the three age and buffering capacity groups.

Conclusions

Although a limited number of subjects were investigated in this study, the quantitative saliva assessment is useful as a screening method for different ages to identify patients with a low saliva flow rate and/or buffering capacity.

Keywords: Flow rate, Buffering capacity, Age, Quantitative test, pH