Mean salivary secretion and bite force decrease with advancing age. Previous studies have shown that salivary flow rates are influenced by mastication. In the present study, we examined the relationship between salivary flow rates and maximal bite force in a community-based sample of men and women 35 years of age or older. Salivary flow rates for unstimulated whole and unstimulated submandibular/sublingual (SMSL) saliva as well as citrate-stimulated parotid and SMSL saliva were measured in 399 subjects. Bite force was assessed with a bilateral force transducer. Pearson correlation analysis yielded significant positive correlations between bite force and flow rates for unstimulated whole saliva (r = 0.24, p < 0.0001), stimulated parotid saliva (r = 0.13, p < 0.03), unstimulated SMSL (r = 0.14, p < 0.0001), and stimulated SMSL (r = 0.16, p < 0.003). When adjusted for age and gender, the partial correlations between bite force and salivary flow rates remained significant for unstimulated whole saliva (r = 0.10, p < 0.05), stimulated parotid saliva (r = 0.13, p < 0.02), and stimulated SMSL saliva (r = 0.14, p < 0.006). Subjects were divided into four groups based on their maximal bite force score (low, medium low, medium high, and high). For each saliva type, the flow rate of the high-bite-force group was significantly greater than that of the low-bite-force group as well as that of the medium-high-bite-force group. These results confirm an age-related decrease in bite force and salivary flow rates and show that, regardless of age or gender, bite force is correlated with salivary flow.
Anderson DJ, Hector MP (1987). Periodontal mechanoreceptors and parotid secretion in animals and man. J Dent Res66:518-523.
2.
Anderson DJ, Hector MP, Linden RW (1985). The possible relation between mastication and parotid secretion in the rabbit. J Physiol364:19-29.
3.
Bakke M., Holm B., Jensen BL, Michler L., Moller E. (1990). Unilateral, isometric bite force in 8-68-year-old women and men related to occlusal factors. Scand J Dent Res98:149-158.
4.
Bakke M., Tuxen A., Vilmann P., Jensen BR, Vilmann A., Toft M. ( 1992). Ultrasound image of human masseter muscle related to bite force, electromyography, facial morphology, and occlusal factors. Scand J Dent Res100:164-171.
5.
Bakke M., Stoltze K., Tuxen A. (1993). Variables related to masseter muscle function: a maximum R2 improvement analysis. Scand J Dent Res101:159-165.
6.
Buchner R., Van der Glas HW, Brouwers JE, Bosman F. (1992). Electromyographic parameters related to clenching level and jaw-jerk reflex in patients with a simple type of myogenous cranio-mandibular disorder. J Oral Rehabil19:495-511.
7.
Chauncey HH, Kapur KK, Feller RP, Wayler AH (1981). Altered masticatory function and perceptual estimates of chewing experience. Spec Care Dentist1:250-255.
8.
Chauncey HH, Muench ME, Kapur KK, Wayler AH (1984). The effect of the loss of teeth on diet and nutrition . Int Dent J34:98-104.
9.
Dawes C., Cross HG, Baker CG, Chebib FS (1978). The influence of gland size on the flow rate and composition of human parotid saliva. Dent J44:21-25.
10.
De Castro JM (1993). Age-related changes on spontaneous food intake and hunger in humans. Appetite21:255-272.
11.
de Muniz BR, Maresca BM, Tumilasci OR, Perec CJ (1983). Effects of an experimental diet on parotid saliva and dental plaque pH in institutionalized children. Arch Oral Biol28:575-581.
12.
Dodds MW, Hsieh SC, Johnson DA (1991). The effect of increased mastication by daily gum-chewing on salivary gland output and dental plaque acidogenicity. J Dent Res70:1474-1478.
13.
Dorrough BC (1985). The effect of contact between overdenture abutment teeth and overdenture on maximum biting force (thesis). San Antonio, TX: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
14.
Edgerton M., Tabak LA, Levine MJ (1987). Saliva: a significant factor in removable prosthodontic treatment. J Prosthet Dent57:57-66.
15.
Ericson S. (1971). The variability of the human parotid flow rate on stimulation with citric acid, with special reference to taste. Arch Oral Biol16:9-19.
16.
Feldman RS, Alinan J., Muench ME, Chauncey HH (1984). Longitudinal stability and masticatory function of human dentition. Gerodontology3:107-113.
17.
Feller RP, Shannon IL (1970). Taste, tactile stimulation and parotid flow in the human. J Oral Med25:87-88.
18.
Fricton JR, Schiffman EL (1986). Reliability of a craniomandibular index. J Dent Res65:1359-1364.
19.
Fricton JR, Schiffman EL (1987). The craniomandibular index: validity. J Prosthet Dent58:222-228.
20.
Gilbert AD, Newton JP (1997). The effect of chronic periodontal disease on human jaw muscles: a pilot study using computed tomography. J Oral Rehabil24:259-264.
21.
Gjorstrup P. (1980). Taste and chewing as stimuli for the secretion of amylase from the parotid gland of the rabbit. Acta Physiol Scand110:295-301.
22.
Hall HD, Schneyer CA (1964). Salivary gland atrophy in rat induced by liquid diet. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med117:789-793.
23.
Hall HD, Merig JJ Jr, Schneyer CA (1967). Metrecal-induced changes in human saliva. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med124:532-536.
24.
Hector MP, Linden RW (1987). The possible role of periodontal mechanoreceptors in control of parotid secretion in man. Q J Exp Physiol72:285-301.
25.
Hiidenkari T., Parvinen T., Helenius H. (1996). Missing teeth and lost teeth of adults aged 30 years and over in south-western Finland. Community Dent Health13:215-222.
26.
Hiiemae K., Heath MR, Heath G., Kazazoglu E., Murray J., Sapper D., et al. (1996). Natural bites, food consistency and feeding behaviour in man. Arch Oral Biol41:175-189.
27.
Jainkittivong A., Johnson DA, Yeh C.-K (1997). Major salivary gland function in long-term complete denture wearers. Chin Dent J16:202-209.
28.
Jensen-Kjeilen JC, Brodin P., Aars H., Berg T. ( 1987). Parotid salivary flow in response to mechanical and gustatory stimulation in man. Acta Physiol Scand131:169-175.
29.
Johansson I., Ericson T., Steen L. (1984). Studies of the effect of diet on saliva secretion and caries development: the effect of fasting on saliva composition of female subjects. J Nutr114:2010-2020.
30.
Johnson DA (1987). Regulation of salivary glands and their secretions by masticatory, nutritional, and hormonal factors. In: The salivary system. Sreebny LM, editor. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press Inc., pp 135-155.
31.
Johnson DA, Sreebny LM (1973). Effect of increased mastication on the secretory process of the rat parotid gland. Arch Oral Biol18:1555-1557.
32.
Johnson DA, Sreebny LM (1982). Effect of increasing the bulk content of the diet on the rat parotid gland and saliva. J Dent Res61:691-696.
33.
Kasai K., Richards LC, Kanazawa E., Ozaki T., Iwasawa T. (1994). Relationship between attachment of the superficial masseter muscle and craniofacial morphology in dentate and edentulous humans . J Dent Res73:1142-1149.
34.
Kiliaridis S., Tzakis MG, Carlsson GE (1995). Effects of fatigue and chewing training on maximal bite force and endurance. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop107:372-378.
35.
Kroon GW, Naeije M. (1992). Electromyographic evidence of local muscle fatigue in a subgroup of patients with myogenous craniomandibular disorders. Arch Oral Biol37:215-218.
36.
Losso EM, Singer JM, Nicolau J. (1997). Effect of gustatory stimulation on flow rate and protein content of human parotid saliva according to the side of preferential mastication. Arch Oral Biol42:83-87.
37.
Makila E., Vaaja U. (1966). The relationship between the rate of flow, pH, buffer capacity and viscosity of the saliva and the number of extracted teeth . Proc Finn Dent Soc62:195-200.
38.
Michael CG, Javid NS, Colaizzi FA, Gibbs CH (1990). Biting strength and chewing forces in complete denture wearers. J Prosthet Dent63:549-553.
39.
Miyamoto K., Yamada K., Ishizuka Y., Morimoto N., Tanne K. (1996). Masseter muscle activity during the whole day in young adults. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop110:394-398.
40.
Moreiras 0, van Staveren WA, Amorim Cruz JA, Carbajal A., de Henauw S., Grunenberger F., et al. (1996). Longitudinal changes in the intake of energy and macronutrients of elderly Europeans. SENECA Investigators. Eur J Clin Nutr50(Suppl 2):S67-S76.
41.
Navazesh M., Brightman VJ, Pogoda JM (1996). Relationship of medical status, medications, and salivary flow rates in adults of different ages. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod81 :172-176.
42.
Newton JP, Abel EW, Robertson EM, Yemm R. ( 1987). Changes in human masseter and medial pterygoid muscles with age: a study by computed tomography. Gerodontics3:151-154.
43.
Newton JP, Yemm R., Abel RW, Menhinick S. (1993). Changes in human jaw muscles with age and dental state. Gerodontology10:16-22.
44.
Osterberg T., Landahl S., Hedegard B. (1984). Salivary flow, saliva, pH and buffering capacity in 70-year-old men and women. Correlation to dental health, dryness in the mouth, disease and drug treatment. J Oral Rehabil11:157-170.
45.
Percival RS, Challacombe SJ, Marsh PD (1994). Flow rates of resting whole and stimulated parotid saliva in relation to age and gender. J Dent Res73:1416-1420.
46.
Schneyer CA, Hall HD ( 1966). Function of rat parotid gland after sympathectomy and total postganglionectomy. Am J Physiol211:943-949.
47.
Schneyer CA, Hall HD ( 1976). Neurally mediated increase in mitosis and DNA of rat parotid with increase in bulk of diet. Am J Physiol230:911-915.
48.
Scott BJ, Hassanwalia R., Linden RW (1998). The masticatory-parotid salivary reflex in edentulous subjects. J Oral Rehabil25:28-33.
49.
Shannon IL (1973). Reference for human parotid saliva collected at varying levels of exogenous stimulation. J Dent Res52:1157.
50.
Shannon IL, Prigmore JR, Chauncey HH (1962). Modified Carlson-Crittenden device for the collection of parotid fluid. J Dent Res41:778-783.
51.
Shannon IL, Terry JM, Chauncey HH (1969). Effect of a maxillary mouthguard on the parotid flow rate response to flavored solutions. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med130:1052-1054.
52.
Shannon IL, Terry JM, Nakamoto RY (1970). Palatal coverage and parotid flow rate. J Prosthet Dent24:601-607.
53.
Shi CS (1989). Proportionality of mean voltage of masseter muscle to maximum bite force applied for diagnosing temporomandibular joint disturbance syndrome. J Prosthet Dent62:682-684.
54.
Ship JA, Fox PC, Baum BJ ( 1991). How much saliva is enough? 'Normal' function defined . JAm Dent Assoc122:63-69.
55.
Slagter AP, Bosman F., van der Glas HW, van der Bilt A. (1993). Human jaw-elevator muscle activity and food comminution in the dentate and edentulous state. Arch Oral Biol38:195-205.
56.
Sreebny LM, Valdini A., Yu A. (1989). Xerostomia. Part II: Relationship to nonoral symptoms, drugs and diseases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol68:419-427.
57.
Svensson P., Arendt-Nielsen L., Houe L. ( 1998). Muscle pain modulates mastication: an experimental study in humans. J Orofac Pain12:7-16.
58.
Throckmorton GS, Dean JS ( 1994). The relationship between jaw-muscle mechanical advantage and activity levels during isometric bites in humans. Arch Oral Biol39:429-437.
59.
Tzakis MG, Osterberg T., Carlsson GE (1994). A study of some masticatory functions in 90-year-old subjects. Gerodontology11:25-29.
60.
van Spronsen PH, Weijs WA, Valk J., Prahl-Andersen B., van Ginkel FC (1989). Comparison of jaw-muscle bite-force cross-sections obtained by means of magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution CT scanning . J Dent Res68:1765-1770.
61.
Wayler AH, Chauncey HH (1983). Impact of complete dentures and impaired natural dentition on masticatory performance and food choice in healthy aging men . J Prosthet Dent49:427-433.
62.
Wayler AH, Muench ME, Kapur KK, Chauncey HH (1984). Masticatory performance and food acceptability in persons with removable partial dentures, full dentures and intact natural dentition. J Gerontol39:284-289.
63.
Wu AJ, Ship JA ( 1993). A characterization of major salivary gland flow rates in the presence of medications and systemic diseases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol76:301-306.
64.
Wurtman JJ, Lieberman H., Tsay R., Nader T., Chew B. ( 1988). Calorie and nutrient intakes of elderly and young subjects measured under identical conditions. J Gerontol43:B174-B180.
65.
Yeh CK, Fox PC, Ship JA, Busch KA, Bermudez DK, Wilder AM, et al. (1988). Oral defense mechanisms are impaired early in HIV-1 infected patients. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr1 :361-366.
66.
Yeh CK, Johnson DA, Dodds MW (1998). Impact of aging on human salivary gland function: a community-based study. Aging10:421-428.
