Effect of oral iron supplementation on unstimulated salivary flow rate:: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: No treatment is known to permanently increase salivary flow in patients with hyposalivation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of iron supplementation on salivary flow rate. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 50 individuals with a low unstimulated whole salivary flow rate and low serum ferritin. Half the individuals received 60 mg iron orally twice a day for 3 months, while the other half received placebo. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups after treatment for the unstimulated flow rate and in the subjective assessments of oral dryness. The serum ferritin values increased significantly in the iron group but not in the placebo group. Conclusions: Oral supplementation with iron for 3 months has no effect on salivary flow rate among individuals with hyposalivation and low serum ferritin values.