Abstract
The effects of NaCl on gingival blood flow were evaluated. A high concentration of NaCl (more than 1mol/l) caused a dose-dependant increase in the gingival blood flow of rabbits, as detected by a laser Doppler flowmeter. Saturated NaCl solution (5.4mol/ l) produced a 100% increase in flow. Treatment with a dentifrice containing NaCl also caused an increase in gingival blood flow. A dentifrice containing 15w/ w% NaCl, part of which was not dissolved, had both higher dehydrating activity and increased blood flow more than dentifrice containing 15 w/w% NaCl which was completely dissolved. These results suggest that NaCl caused an increase in gingival blood flow at least partially by dehydration.
