Effect of nicotine chewing gum on salivary secretion.

The effect of nicotine, placebo for nicotine or menthol-tasting chewing gums on salivation was studied in 25 healthy volunteers. The chewing of a commercial nicotine containing (2 mg) chewing gum (Nicorette) did not give a larger rate of salivation than did the chewing of a placebo chewing gum. For both types of chewing gums the rate of salivation was highest during the initial 5 min and it decreased thereafter. Menthol-tasting chewing gum gave a significantly higher amount of stimulated saliva. It is concluded that the addition of nicotine to a chewing gum does not provide an additional stimulus for salivation.