FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SALIVARY BUFFERING CAPACITY IN YOUNG-ADULTS IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

The buffering capacity and flow rate of stimulated whole saliva were a ssessed in 150. persons, 20-24 yr of age. The associations were assess ed between the buffer value and the flow rate, some dietary factors, t obacco habits, use of oral contraceptives, and some demographic variab les. The results demonstrate that a low flow rate may predict a low bu ffer value but not a high value. Flow rate accounted for the largest p art of the buffering variation but morning and afternoon saliva sampli ng, female gender, food consumption between meals, and smoking seem to have contributed to low buffering values. Snuff-taking habits, oral c ontraceptives, and protein consumption between meals were not associat ed with the buffering capacity.