The Change of Salivary Flow Rate according to Olfactory Stimulation

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the rate of salivation before and after olfactory stimulation using BPO (black pepper oil) and then, to collect basic data for screening the possibility of introducing olfactory stimulus to prevent and improve dry mouth. Methods The subjects in this study were 60 college students in Jeon-Nam province. The subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups; the BPO group (n=20), the lavender oil (LVO) group (n=20), and the distilled water (DW) group (n=20). The amount of whole saliva before and after olfactory stimulation was measured 14 times for a 4-week period. Results In the BPO and LVO groups, the amount of whole saliva increased after the olfactory stimulation and it was most prominent in the BPO group (p<0.05). The difference of whole salivation was higher in the BPO group (p<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the salivary flow rate in the DW group. After 14 times of measurement for 4 weeks, the BPO and LVO groups showed an increase in salivary rate at an early stage compared without stimulation (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the middle. Since the twelfth measurement, whole saliva secretion increased and maintained the elevated level (p<0.05). Conclusions The olfactory stimulation using BPO may contribute to stimulating salivation. Further studies are needed for subjects with dry mouth symptoms. In the future, qualitative and quantitative studies should be conducted for people who complains about oral dryness.