Effect of chronic tobacco-betel-lime "quid" chewing on human salivary secretions.

Salivary flow rates by mechanical stimulation with forced spitting method and by chemical stimulation with 10% citric acid were determined in 25 healthy adult subjects with a history of chronic tobacco-betel-lime "quid" chewing and in 25 healthy control adults with no history of chewing. The chewers secreted more saliva as compared to nonchewers on chemical, but not on mechanical stimulation. The salivary amylase, potassium, and sodium levels were lower in chewers, but the reductions of the first two components only were significant.