Salivary secretion and dental caries experience in drug addicts.

Abstract The flow rate and pH of parotid saliva, the total concentration of salivary proteins, inorganic phosphate, calcium and amylase and the DMF index were studied in young males making improper use of drugs. Patients were classified in the following main groups: (A) with predominance of amphetamines; that is, this drug was taken most frequently and in greatest dosage during the last year; (M) with predominance of marijuana; (AM) with predominance of amphetamine and marijuana; (N) without predominance. In patients belonging to groups A and AM, parotid salivary flow induced after stimulation by intra-oral citric acid was reduced to 26.2 and 41.1 per cent, respectively, of the values obtained in healthy control subjects. Total protein, phosphate concentration and the pH of the saliva were significantly decreased; on the other hand, calcium concentration showed a remarkable increase in the saliva of amphetamine-addicted patients. However, the product calcium × phosphate was significantly decreased. The caries index of patients belonging to groups A and AM was 74 and 90 per cent higher, respectively, compared with control values. In group M, parotid salivary flow rate and most of the parameters studied did not differ from those of the controls. The average caries index of those patients was only 28 per cent higher than the controls.