1*Professor and HOD, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences. Email ID: swatipatnaik@soa.ac.in (Corresponding Author)
2Student, Institute of Dental Sciences. Email ID: daniel.debash11@gmail.com
3MDS Public Health Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences. Email ID: nikitamohangy797@gmail.com
4Professor, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences. Email ID: dharmashrees@soa.ac.in
5PGT, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences. Email ID: drshubhracsaha@gmail.com
6PGT, Dept of Public Health Dentistry, Institute of Dental Sciences. Email ID: mlipsa2001@gmail.com
Introduction: Tobacco and areca nut consumption are widely prevalent habits with significant adverse effects on oral health. This study aims to evaluate the impact of these habits on salivary flow rate (SFR) and salivary pH, which are critical indicators of oral health. Tobacco contains harmful compounds that contribute to oxidative stress, and can alter the oral environment. Understanding these impacts can aid in early detection and prevention of related oral diseases.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 participants aged 20-50 years, divided into three groups: control (no habit), areca nut consumers, and tobacco consumers. Saliva samples were collected between 9 AM and 12 PM for SFR and pH analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD post hoc tests, with a significance threshold of p<0.05.
Results: The study found a significant reduction in SFR and salivary pH among areca nut and tobacco users compared to the control group. The mean SFR was highest in the control group (3.45 mL/5 min), followed by tobacco users (2.69 mL/5 min) and areca nut users (1.95 mL/5 min). Salivary pH was significantly lower in the habit groups, with mean values of 5.60 (areca nut) and 5.83 (tobacco) compared to 6.98 in controls (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Long-term use of areca nut and tobacco significantly affects salivary parameters, indicating early oral health deterioration. Non-invasive assessments of SFR and pH can serve as valuable diagnostic tools for monitoring at-risk individuals, reinforcing the importance of preventive measures and public awareness campaigns.
Keywords: tobacco, arecanut, salivary flow rate
How to cite this article: Patnaik S, Senapati D, Mohanty N, Dharmasree S, Saha SC, Mohapatra L. Assess the Salivary Flow Rate (SFR) and Salivary pH of Individuals with Habit of Areca Nut and Tobacco in Bhubaneswar City. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(13s): 842-847. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.13s.92.
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None