STUDIES ON THE OXIDATION-REDUCTION POTENTIALS OF SALIVA

¹ Research Laboratory, School of Dentistry, University of Kansas City, Kansas City, Mo.

(1) The average initial oxidation-reduction potential (E_h) of resting saliva was +301 mv. for 7 subjects tested electrometrically 1555 times. The pH was 6.64. (2) The E_h of saliva of the group of subjects changed markedly over a period of 12 months. (3) The group's mean E_h of saliva for each month was significantly different from the annual mean of +301 mv. (4) Subjects did not vary from one another in the E_h of saliva when tested under identical conditions. (5) At each month the subjects' salivas were remarkably similar in E_h. (6) The E_h of saliva of a subject was quite variable from month to month for 1 year as tested in this experiment. (7) The E_h of saliva for the group did not fluctuate to any extent during the day. (8) Marked fluctuations in the E_h of saliva for the group occurred from month to month at each of the 5 bi-hourly periods. (9) Subjects were not much different from one another at any 1 of the bi-hourly periods of the day. (10) The E_h of saliva of a subject at a particular time of day varied greatly from month to month.

The temporary oxidation-reduction potentials (E_h) of saliva, as tested in this experiment, appear to be a function of time based upon monthly periods or seasons but not upon bi-hourly periods during the day. Apparently the E_h of saliva is not a function of the individual.