Journal of Dental Research, Vol 64, 411-415, Copyright © 1985 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Sugar clearance from saliva and intra-oral spaces
D. Goulet, F. Brudevold, A. Tehrani and F. Attarzadeh
The clearance of glucose from saliva was compared with that from spaces
located in an intra-oral appliance. The spaces (N = 8) were similar in
shape and size to posterior interdental spaces and could be sampled with a
microsyringe without removing the appliance from the mouth. The subjects (N
= 5) rinsed their mouths with solutions of 5, 10, or 25% glucose. Samples
were obtained from a pair of spaces and from saliva at standard intervals
and were analyzed for glucose. The rate of glucose clearance was
consistently slower from the spaces than from bulk saliva, as shown by
higher concentrations and longer clearance times for the spaces. The
clearance curves were similar in shape and were rectilinear when the
logarithms of the concentrations were plotted against time. The rate of
clearance from the spaces appears to be characteristic for an individual,
as was also true of salivary clearance.
