IMMEDIATE SALIVARY FLOW RESPONSE TO HONEY-BASED GUSTATORY STIMULATION IN REMOVABLE DENTURE WEARERS WITH AND WITHOUT XEROSTOMIA: A PILOT CASE-SERIES

Rahela Chiș, Antoanela Magdalena Covaci, Dorin Ioan Cocoș, Tatiana-Maria Chiuariu, Razvan Leata, Kamel Earar, Magdalena Rusu-Negraia

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2026.2.18.10

Abstract

Background: Xerostomia and reduced salivary flow may impair denture retention, mucosal tolerance, and oral comfort in removable denture wearers. Aim: This pilot study evaluated the immediate salivary response to honey-based gustatory stimulation in denture wearers with and without xerostomia. Methods: Six removable denture wearers were included: three without xerostomia and three with xerostomia-associated hyposalivation. Whole saliva was collected by passive drooling at baseline, after water rinse, and after rinsing with a 20% honey solution. Results: Baseline salivary flow was 0.35 ± 0.05 mL/min in patients without xerostomia and 0.07 ± 0.02 mL/min in xerostomic patients. After water rinse, values increased slightly to 0.38 ± 0.04 and 0.09 ± 0.02 mL/min, respectively. Honey-based stimulation increased salivary flow to 0.63 ± 0.06 mL/min in the non-xerostomia group and 0.25 ± 0.06 mL/min in the xerostomia group, corresponding to relative increases of 81.5% and 239.4%. No immediate adverse reactions were reported. Conclusions: Honey-based gustatory stimulation produced an immediate measurable increase in salivary flow in removable denture wearers, including patients with xerostomia-associated hyposalivation. These preliminary findings support further controlled studies on its clinical relevance and safety.