Precise weighing of cotton balls to determine saliva production (Saxon test)

Precise weighing of cotton balls to determine saliva production (Saxon test)

Sjögren's syndrome leads to a reduced production of tears and saliva. The so-called Saxon test is used to determine the severity of the salivary gland insufficiency. The patient chews a previously weighed cotton ball for two minutes. The cotton ball is then weighed again to determine the weight gain caused by the saliva. A high-precision scale is essential for this measurement, as it reliably detects even the smallest differences in weight. This method enables doctors to objectively evaluate saliva production and thus better understand the symptoms of the disease.

To measure saliva production in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, a cotton ball is precisely weighed before and after chewing. A precision scale records the small differences in weight in order to accurately determine the amount of saliva stimulated by chewing.