Journal of Dental Research, Vol 64, 826-830, Copyright © 1985 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Comparisons of various salivary parameters in smokers before and after the use of a nicotine-containing chewing gum
B. L. Olson, J. L. McDonald Jr, M. J. Gleason, G. K. Stookey, B. R. Schemehorn, C. A. Drook, B. B. Beiswanger and A. G. Christen
This study was designed to compare various salivary parameters between
smokers and non-smokers and to determine the influence of a
nicotine-containing chewing gum (used to aid in quit-smoking efforts) upon
these same parameters. At the baseline examination, subjects were assigned
to one of three groups: non-smokers who did not utilize any gum, smokers
provided a nicotine-containing gum, and smokers provided a placebo gum.
Saliva was collected from all subjects and analyzed for acidogenicity and
buffer pH as well as for levels of thiocyanate, lactoperoxidase, lysozyme,
lactoferrin, and secretory IgA. After 15 weeks of gum usage, saliva was
again collected from each subject and the identical analyses performed.
Significant differences were observed between smokers and non-smokers with
regard to three parameters: The saliva of smokers contained greater
concentrations of thiocyanate and lower concentrations of lactoferrin, at
the baseline examination and after the 15-week test period. In addition,
the CO content of alveolar air was higher in smokers at both examination
periods. In contrast, the use of the nicotine gum per se had no effect on
any of the test parameters.
