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Tahmassebi JF, Curzon MEJ Int J Paediatr Dent 2003; 13: 106–111

From 10% to 37% of CP children have drooling problems which may have social or practical function effects. Physiological studies have suggested that there are problems in the initial (suction) stage of swallowing in CP, but no study appears to have investigated whether hypersalivation is also involved.

Ten CP children with severe drooling problems were compared with 10 matched controls who had no mental or physical disabilities. In the CP children, drooled saliva was collected through a cup with attached tube, with no restriction on talking and jaw movement. In the controls, saliva was collected by passive draining without swallowing.

Mean salivary flow rates per min were 022 ml for CP and 033 ml for controls (P = 0053) and buffering capacities were similar. The flow rates were similar to other unstimulated rates in experimental literature. The flow rates showed no hypersalivation in the CP group, though the interesting possibility arises that a larger group might have had a significant hyposalivation effect.