A study of the viscosity of saliva at different shear rates in dentate and edentulous patients

A Wells-Brookfield microviscometer was used to measure the viscosity of saliva from dentate and edentulous individuals at shear rates ranging from 1·15/s to 230/s. The advantages of using such an instrument are discussed in the light of the recognition of saliva as a viscoelastic fluid exhibiting non-Newtonian viscosity. The viscosity of saliva of the dentate group was found to be significantly higher than that of the edentulous group at shear rates above 1l·5/s. It is suggested that these differences may be related to the mucin content of saliva.