“…In this regard, the knowledge of normal salivary composition, flow, and functional properties may permit a better assessment of dental caries susceptibility. Some studies have seemed to support the validity of a combined evaluation of the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, pH, salivary flow, and buffer power of saliva in the prediction of caries (4,7,8). However, salivary flow rate (SFR) is undoubtedly the most important single parameter because the cariostatic activity or efficacy of practically all other salivary parameters depends on the flow rate (9).…”