Which factor most directly determines how quickly a cariogenic sugar is cleared from the mouth (oral sugar clearance)?

Oral (salivary) clearance is governed mainly by salivary flow and volume; higher flow removes and dilutes sugars faster, lowering caries risk. Reduced flow (xerostomia) prolongs clearance and raises caries risk.Other options: Tooth shade, pulpal blood flow, and restoration count do not control substrate clearance from the mouth.Key exam takeaway: Saliva is the main clearance mechanism; xerostomia slows clearance and increases caries risk.