The salivary flow rate and composition of whole and parotid resting and stimulated saliva in young and old healthy subjects.

Resting and stimulated whole and parotid salivary composition and flow rate were examined in 63 healthy volunteers. No significant differences were found between the young and old in secretion rates and salivary concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and total protein. The activity of amylase in the resting and stimulated parotid saliva was significantly lower in the old.