Use of the Saxon test as a measure of saliva production in a reference population of schoolchildren

W. J. Stevens, F. E. Swartele, F. A. Empsten and L. S. De Clerck
Department of Immunology-Allergology-Rheumatology, University of Antwerp, Belgium.

The Saxon test, a simple, reproducible, and low-cost technique to test for xerostomia in adults was applied to 347 schoolchildren who were free from any known disease. The values in children differed significantly from the values in adults and increased slightly with age. The test can easily be performed on samples kept for 8 days at 4 degrees C or at room temperature.