Evaluation of Flow Rate, pH, Buffering Capacity, Calcium, Total Proteins and Total Antioxidant Capacity Levels of Saliva in Caries Free and Caries Active Children: An In Vivo Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the physicochemical properties of saliva such as flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, calcium level, total protein and total antioxidant levels in caries free and caries active children. The present study included one hundred and twenty healthy children who were divided into two groups; group I and group II comprising of age groups 7-10 and 11-14 years, respectively. Both the groups were then sub-divided equally according to gender. They were further divided into caries free and caries active with 15 children in each group. Unstimulated saliva was collected by suction method and flow rates were determined. The samples were then analyzed for pH, buffering capacity, total protein, calcium and total antioxidant capacity. The data was statistically analyzed using student t test (unpaired). The results revealed that when all these parameters were compared among the caries free and caries active children, flow rate, pH, buffering capacity were slightly reduced in caries active children, but total protein and total antioxidant capacity of saliva increased significantly in caries active children and the total calcium decreased significantly in caries active children. Within the limitation of this study, we conclude that, the physicochemical properties of saliva play a major role in the development of caries.

Linear reciprocal interaction between dental caries and salivary characteristics

“…In a similar recent study, the buffering capacity of a caries-active group was also higher, but the difference was not statistically significant (24). Moreover, Preethi et al reported that buffering capacity and salivary flow rate were reduced in children with active caries (2). S. mutans count was significantly correlated with buffering capacity of stimulated saliva in children with early childhood caries (17).…”

“…Stimulation of saliva results in a flushing effect that clears oral debris and noxious agents, dilutes and eliminates sugars and other substances, increases buffering capacity, and balances demineralization/remineralization and antimicrobial activity (1). These protective characteristics of saliva are due to properties such as flow rate, viscosity, pH, buffering capacity, and the concentrations of various components (2). Therefore, alterations in saliva quantity or quality can contribute to development of dental caries.…”

“…The increase in cariogenic activity due to viscous saliva is attributed to reduced flow rate and clearance capacity (4), decreased buffering capacity (5), and increased glucose retention time (6). In addition, salivary flow rate is significantly lower in caries-active children than in caries-free individuals (2,7). Both pH and buffering capacity are directly related to salivary viscosity and flow rate; therefore, viscous saliva and the consequent lower flow rate likely lead to lower pH and buffering capacity (8).…”

Salivary calcium and phosphate stability in different time and temperature storage

“…As these ions are found to be decreased in the saliva of patients with active carious lesions (Preethi, Reshma, Anand, 2010;Fiyaz et al, 2013;Hegde et al, 2014;Prasanthi et al, 2014), these biochemical parameters play an important role in determining individual caries and other tooth demineralization susceptibility (Kaur, Kwatra, Kamboj, 2012).…”

Evaluation of salivary α-L-Fucose and its related parameters in periodontitis

“…Saliva is a dilute fluid that is secreted from the major and minor salivary glands; it is bathing the teeth and oral soft tissues to preservative and maintains the oral health. Saliva is composed mainly of water, electrolytes, glycoprotein, and antimicrobial enzymes 4,5 . Several studies have been shown that there is a relationship between quantitative changes of salivary components and some oral disease 6,7 .…”