Analysis of zinc concentration in the saliva of individuals at different age ranges

Abstract Objectives: Zinc plays an important role in the homeostasis of the human body. In the oral cavity, its absence causes hypogeusia. Zinc supplementation acts improving taste acuity and oral lesions healing. However, some aspects regarding to salivary zinc contents and syalometric variables, as well as, its variations among age-related groups, are lacking. The objective of this study was to measure the zinc concentration in the saliva in different age range. Methods: One hundred and twenty healthy individuals have donated saliva and they were divided in to four groups according to age: Group I = 18-29 years old; Group II = 30-39 years old; Group III: 40-49 years old and Group IV: 50-59 years old. Results: The research revealed that there are differences between salivary parameters, salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and pH, when they are correlated with the zinc present in saliva, but the salivary zinc concentration is not age dependent. Conclusion: pH and BA had no influence in the salivary zinc concentration, but the salivary flow can interfere in the zinc concentration.