Effects of gustatory stimulants of salivary secretion on salivary pH and flow: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

To compare salivary pH changes and stimulation efficacy of two different gustatory stimulants of salivary secretion (GSSS).

SETTING

Portuguese Dental Faculty Clinic.

DESIGN

Double blind randomized controlled trial.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and twenty volunteers were randomized to two intervention groups. Sample sized was calculated using an alpha error of 0.05 and a beta of 0.20.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to receive a new gustatory stimulant of secretory secretion containing a weaker malic acid, fluoride and xylitol or a traditionally citric acid-based one. Saliva collection was obtained by established methods at different times. The salivary pH of the samples was determined with a pH meter and a microelectrode.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Salivary pH variations and counts of subjects with pH below 5.5 for over 1 min and stimulated salivary flow were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Both GSSS significantly stimulated salivary output without significant differences between the two groups. The new gustatory stimulant of salivary secretion presented a risk reduction of 80 +/- 10.6% (95% CI) when compared with the traditional one.

CONCLUSIONS

Gustatory stimulants of salivary secretion with fluoride, xylitol and lower acid content maintain similar salivary stimulation capacity while reducing significantly the dental erosion predictive potential.