Oral glucose retention, saliva viscosity and flow rate in 5-year-old children

There are significant differences of glucose retention in site-specificity and individuals. Sixty-two 5-year-old nursery schoolchildren participated i n this study on the relation between the viscosity of saliva and flow rate and glucose retention. Each child was instructed to rinse his/her mouth wit h a glucose solution (0.5 M, 5 ml) and then to spit out. Three minutes afte r rinsing, glucose retention was determined. Resting saliva was collected b y a natural outflow method, then the flow rate was determined. A rotational viscometer was used to determine the viscosity. Glucose retention and flow rate were correlated at the left maxillary primary molars, and glucose ret ention and viscosity were correlated at the maxillary central primary incis ors. It was concluded that glucose retention after glucose mouth rinsing wa s site-specific, and that glucose retention and the index of decayed, missi ng and filled primary teeth (dmft) were slightly correlated with the saliva ry viscosity and flow rate. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.