The chronic consumption of hard, alkaline groundwater has been associated with morphofunctional changes in salivary glands, potentially impairing oral health and glandular secretory activity. This study investigates the corrective effect of citric acid supplementation on the structure and function of salivary glands in individuals consuming such water sources. Histological examination, salivary pH, and flow rate analysis were conducted in experimental models to assess glandular morphology and function. Results demonstrated that citric acid mitigates structural alterations and restores near-normal secretory function, suggesting its potential as a simple, accessible corrective measure for populations reliant on mineral-rich groundwater.

Salivary glands, groundwater, hardness, alkalinity, citric acid, morphofunctional changes, oral health

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