Stimulated salivary flow rate, pH and lactobacillus and yeast concentrations in medicated persons.

Flow rate, pH and lactobacillus and yeast counts of paraffin-stimulated whole saliva were analyzed in an adult population of 463 medicated persons. Of the very large number of drugs only a few groups were found to decrease salivation to such an extent that they can be considered to cause dental harm. Persons using neuroleptics, tricyclic antidepressants or antihypertensives were nevertheless found to produce stimulated saliva at rates significantly lower than unmedicated persons. Age had no influence on the flow rate, but postmenopausal age seems to predispose medicated women to a decrease in salivary flow. Higher microbial counts were found in the medicated men.