Relationship between salivary flow rates and Candida counts in subjects with xerostomia.

Objective: This study evaluated the relationship between salivary flow and Candida colony counts in the saliva of patients with xerostomia.

Study Design: Sialometry and Candida colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were taken from 112 subjects who reported xerostomia in a questionnaire. Chewing-stimulated whole saliva was collected and streaked in Candida plates and counted in 72 hours.