Role of areca nut and smokeless tobacco-related habit in altering physical properties of saliva – A comparative study

Abstract

Context: Saliva performs multiple functions and is of paramount importance for the maintenance of oral health. Hence, alterations in its physical properties like salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and pH can be deleterious to the oral cavity. Areca nut and smokeless tobacco products are known to alter the mucosa as well as the saliva. Aims and Objectives: The study is aimed to compare the alteration in the salivary properties like stimulated salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity between subjects with areca nut and smokeless tobacco habit and without in subjects without habit. A correlation between the habit frequency, duration, and exposure on the same parameters was also ascertained. Settings and Design: It is a comparative study using purposive sampling, comprising of 100 subjects within age group 18–50 years of any gender. The sample size constituted of 50 subjects (group A) with a habit of areca nut and smokeless tobacco and 50 subjects (group B) without any habit. Salivary properties like salivary flow rate, buffering capacity, and pH were analyzed in both groups to test a hypothesis that the habit results in changes in the salivary properties and that there is a correlation between the changes and the frequency, duration, and exposure of the habit. Materials and Methods: Saliva samples were collected from these subjects for analysis of salivary flow rate (SFR), pH, and buffering capacity using the GC Saliva Check Buffer Kit™. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed by using the SPSS software program, version 27.0. Results: The mean stimulated salivary flow rate among group A was 3.34 ± 1.32 and pH was 6.50 ± 0.54. The mean stimulated salivary flow rate among group B was 4.42 ± 1.48 and the pH was 7.04 ± 0.47. The difference in these values was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Alterations in SFR and salivary pH and buffering capacity are observed in habitual chewers of areca nut alone and areca nut with other products. The alteration is dependent on the type of habit and the habit exposure frequency and duration.

Keywords

• areca nut habit
• buffering capacity
• ph
• salivary flow rate
• smokeless tobacco habit