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The effect of saliva on plaque acidogenesis was studied in ten caries-resistant and ten caries-susceptible subjects. Plaque pH was measured in vivo following exposure to a sucrose substrate under varying conditions of salivary access. Our findings demonstrate that when there is no salivary access, plaque pH levels are similar in the CR and CS groups. As the access to saliva is increased, the observed pH minima increased to a greater degree in the CR subjects than was noted in the CS subjects. This indicates that saliva (notably stimulated saliva) plays a major role in modifying plaque pH and quantitatively reflects caries status.

Separately collected parotid and submaxillary salivary samples from 20 diabetic and 20 matched control subjects were analyzed for flow rate, electrolyte content and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG and IgM) levels. Flow rates did not vary significantly between the two groups of subjects; calcium ion content, however, was higher in the diabetic subjects for both salivary glands. The presence of salivary IgI in 6 of 10 patients was also a significant finding. Any attempt to draw a conclusion between the severity of periodontal disease and Diabetes Mellitus from the above findings is still speculative but does indicate further areas of research.

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