The effect of cations and epigallocatechin gallate on in vitro salivary lubrication.

Ionic valency influences oral processing by changing salivary behavior and merits more attention since little is known. In this study, the influence of three ionic valences (monovalent, divalent and trivalent), ionic strength and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on lubricating properties of saliva were investigated. Tribological measurements were used to characterize the lubrication response of KCl, MgCl, FeCl, and AlCl in combination with EGCG to the ex vivo salivary pellicle.