Comparison of the Effect of Different Chewing Gums and one Mouth Wash on the Amount and PH of Saliva in Healthy Individuals

Statement of Problem: Saliva serves an important role in oral homeostasis. Protection against viruses, bacteria and fungus and dental remineralization are some roles of saliva. Xerostomia is a common complaint, especially among elderly woman and is usually the result of the salivary gland dysfunction. It may be beneficial to stimulate the salivary flow by sugar free chewing gums or substituting saliva by oral rinse, in patients with impaired salivary function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of stimulating materials such as, chewing gums and one oral rinse on the amount and pH of saliva. In this experimental study, 60 healthy individuals were randomly divided into four groups, each composed of 15. Before study, the mean amount and PH of the whole saliva were evaluated in 2 minutes. In group 1, 2 and 3 Orbit, Relax and Biotene chewing gums were used for 5 minutes, respectively. In the forth group, Biotene mouth wash was used for 30 seconds according to the manufacture’s instruction. The mean amount of saliva in 2 minutes and mean of saliva PH were determined immediately and 45 minutes after use of the materials. Covarince analysis and the Least Significant Difference test were used for data comparison among groups and T-test was used for intra groups analysis. In all groups the mean amount of saliva increased immediately after using the materials, but after 45 minutes, though significantly higher than the initial one, the mean amount decreased. The mean of PH increased immediately after chewing the gums, but after 45 minutes use of the gums, only for Relax and Biotene gums, the mean of saliva PH was significantly higher than the initial record. Biotene in the form of mouthwash did not show any effect on PH of the saliva. Xylitol with mechanical factors such as chewing increases the amount of saliva and improves PH of the oral cavity. Relax and Biotene chewing gums, having no glucoses and contain only xylitol, due to the increase in amount of saliva and improvement of PH, should be considered as preferred chewing gums.