Alterations in The Salivary Flow Rate as A Result of The Effect of Different Associated Factors: A review

Abstract

Saliva is a complex non-invasive biological fluid that possesses a large number of important properties and functions; it plays an important role in the protection of the oral, dental, and general health through its several protecting systems. The flow rate of saliva is defined as “the amount of saliva produced by salivary glands in the time unit, expressed in mL/min or g/min”, which is considered an important salivary factor that has an impact on different oral and systemic diseases. Unstimulated whole salivary flow rate is considered a more dependent clinically reliable parameter and during collection, is considered as the basal flow rate, whereas stimulated salivary flow rate reflects saliva secretion during food intake. Secretion of saliva is affected by several factors resulting in increases or decreases in the levels of its flow rate, this alteration will share in the initiation of different abnormal systemic or local oral and general conditions and disturbances demonstrated by hyposalivation causing a feeling of dry mouth. Some of these factors affect the unstimulated and stimulated flow rates. An increase or decrease in salivary flow rate will play a role in determining the nature of some diseases as a diagnostic tool. This review aimed to determine the impact of some of the different factors that cause an alteration in the salivary flow rate and the effect of this alteration in the initiation of oral and systemic diseases and other disturbances that then affect oral and general health.