Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Areca nut is the fourth most commonly used social drug, ranking after nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine. The present study was conducted to assess effect of areca nut and smokeless tobacco- related habit in altering physical properties of saliva. Materials & Methods: 100 adults of both genderswere divided into 2 groups of 50 each. Group I were with a habit of areca nut and smokeless tobacco and group II without any habit. Saliva samples were collected for analysis of salivary flow rate (SFR), pH, and buffering capacity using the GC Saliva Check Buffer Kit™. Results: Group I had 30 males and 20 females and group II had 25 males and 25 females. The mean stimulated salivary flow rate in group I was 3.1 ml/minute and in group II was 4.5 ml/minute. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean salivary pH in group I was 6.4 and in group II was 7.8. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: There was reduction in salivary flow and change in the pH as well as the buffering capacity of the salivary flow in subjects with areca nut and tobacco-related habits.