Background: Gum chewing is a common habit in many countries. Both sucrose containing and sugar-free gum
stimulate salivary flow, increase in saliva flow lead to more frequent replenishment and greater supply of
antibacterial factors, saline, buffers, minerals and other beneficial constituents, increase pH and buffer capacity of
whole saliva. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of different chewing gums on the salivary
constituents including some elements (Magnesium, Calcium, Copper and Zinc)(chemical),PH and flow
rate(physical)characteristic.
Materials and Methods: Saliva samples was collected from dental students/college of dentistry 23 age stimulated by
three types of chewing gum (mastic, Arabic, sugar) and control group (unstimulated saliva), pH and saliva flow rate
was recorded for four groups. Biochemical analysis was assessed for some salivary elements, (Magnesium, Calcium,
Copper, and Zinc) and its relation with different chewing gum and control group. Student's t-test, ANOVA and LSD
test was used for statistical analysis. Also mean and standard deviation was recorded.
Results: Mean value of pH was found to be high in three types of chewing gum with highly significant difference
comparing with control group. A significant difference in flow rate was found between control and sugared gum
group. Mg and Ca ione was found to be highly significant between mastic gum group and other three groups , as
well as highly significant difference was recorded among four groups of saliva in Cu ione, while no significant
difference was showed between Zn ione and four groups.
Conclusion: Chewing gum include natural (mastic and Arabic) and sugared was increases salivary pH. Use of
chewing gum especially mastic and Arabic can enhance the remineralizing potential of the mouth, probably by
stimulating salivary flow which may lead to rise salivary elements |