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Objective: To examine the influence of acute stress on salivary flow using a validated stressor paradigm., Study Design: This uniform crossover study consisted of 40 healthy adults who underwent the Trier Social Stress Test, consisting of a 5-minute mental arithmetic task (MAT), and a nonstressful task (NST), consisting of a 5-minute free speech task. The order of the tasks was counterbalanced and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was measured in 2 groups of 20 participants during each 5-minute task condition, with a 10-minute washout period between tasks. At baseline, mathematical ability was self-reported and psychological distress was measured using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Heart rate (HR) and breathing rate (BR) were recorded during each task., Results: Age, sex, HR, BR, and psychological distress were similar between groups at baseline (P > .05). During the MAT, HR increased significantly and mean UWS flow rate decreased significantly compared with the NST (P < .001)., Conclusions: An acute psychobiological stressor task was associated with a rapid decrease in salivary flow in adults. Thus, stress can contribute to reduced salivary flow and should be considered as a factor during the diagnostic workup of patients who complain of a dry mouth., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely available as over-the-counter medications, despite their numerous side effects and drug interactions. The aim of this article is to increase awareness of the hypertensive potential of NSAIDs and their interference with antihypertensives. Patients with hypertension appear to be more susceptible than normotensive individuals to the blood pressure-increasing effect of NSAIDs. Most studies have found that short-term use of NSAIDs does not pose a major risk for hypertension or increase in cardiovascular disease in healthy individuals. The calcium channel blockers and β-blockers seem to be least affected by the concomitant use of NSAIDs. A dentist must weigh the benefits and disadvantages of using NSAIDs in patients taking antihypertensive drugs. For those who may be at greater risk, such as patients with hypertension and the elderly, careful selection of the class of NSAID and close monitoring are appropriate measures, especially if long-term use is anticipated., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)