Resting Salivary Flow Rate and pH Decreases in Chewable Tobacco Users

Background: Salivary flow rate and pH may be altered by chewable tobacco, the habit which is becoming a threat for oral cancer epidemic. The objective of the study was to find out the relationship between alterations in resting salivary flow rate (RSFR) and pH, which are early signs of oral health deterioration, with different forms of chewing tobacco products.

Methods: A total of 354 healthy male subjects, consuming any form of chewable tobacco, belonging to low socioeconomic areas of Karachi were selected for this cross sectional study. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and details of chewing habits (using since, pack/day, duration of exposure etc.). Resting saliva of every subject was collected for 5min and RSFR was expressed in ml/min. Salivary pH was determined by using pH strips (pH 0-14). Data was analyzed on SPSS version 20.

Results: Of 354 subjects, 27.4% were gutka, 24.3% niswar, 24.3% paan and 24% multiple users with mean RSFR as 0.40±0.30, 0.65±0.32, 0.64±0.39 and 0.41±0.25 respectively. Mean resting salivary pH was 6.58±0.78 with the lowest pH; 6.16±0.65 in multiple users. RSFR and pH significantly decreased with increase in packs consumed/day, duration of exposure and duration of usage.

Conclusion: A significant negative correlation was found between RSFR and pH with tobacco chewing.