Parotid Saliva Flow Rates in Caries-Resistant Naval Recruits

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Abstract
A longitudinal study was done to determine the parotid flow rate of 50 young naval recruits with a history of no dental decay at the beginning of the study. Twenty-seven men developed at least 1 lesion during the observation period. The subjects that remained caries free throughout the study had a mean parotid flow rate of 20.5 ml/20 min. compared to 17.4 ml/ 20 min. for those developing caries. This difference was of borderline significance. The mean for both groups was 18.9 ml/20 min. Although the flow rate for an individual was not diagnostic for the caries status, a definite relationship exists between the parotid flow rate and caries incidence. Analysis of the diurnal variation of the parotid flow rate showed a decrease for approximately 2 hrs. following the noon meal. When caries developed the 3rd molars had the highest decay rate followed by the 2nd and 1st molars. Eighty per cent of the decay was on the occlusal surface.