Assessing Salivary Flow Rate, Salivary pH and Oral Candidiasis among Tobacco Chewers, Smokers and Healthy Controls- A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Tobacco chewing and smoking is one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in developed and developing countries. It decreases the sensitivity of taste receptors which in turn leads to altered taste receptors response and changes in salivary flow rate (SFR) and pH. It either alone or in combination with systemic local factors, is associated with increased oral candidal colonization.

Objectives: To assess SFR, salivary pH and oral candidiasis among tobacco chewers, smokers and healthy controls in patients visiting V S Dental College & Hospital Bangalore.

Methods: A total of 90 male subjects aged 20-40years were divided equally into tobacco smokers (group A), chewers (group B), and controls (group C). Saliva of each subject was collected and SFR was expressed in mL/min. Salivary pH was determined using pH strips. Smear was taken from subjects with oral candidiasis and send for microbiological examination. ANOVA, and chi square test was used for stastistical analysis.

Results: The mean (±SD) SFR was 0.66 ml/min (±0.16) in group A, 0.59 ml/min (± 0.34) in group B and 0.94 ml/min (± 0.42) in group C, on comparison a non significant difference was found (P =0.256). The mean (±SD) salivary pH of saliva was 6.7 (±0.38) in group A, 6.3 (±0.63) in group B and 7.16 (±0.30) in group C, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.001). There was no significant association between tobacco habits and oral candidiasis (p value = 0.129).

Conclusions: Tobacco use either smoking or chewing form reduces the salivary flow rate and pH, and there was no significant association between oral candidiasis and tobacco habits.