Interrelation Between Salivary pH, Buffer Capacity and Dental Caries in Underweight, Normal Weight and Overweight Children

Abstract

The prevalence of dental caries in Romania remains high. The objective of this study is to analyse the link between dental caries, salivary pH and buffer capacity and the nutritional status in children. This cross-sectional study used a sample of 162 children, between the ages of 6 and 12 years, from Mures County, Romania. The prevalence of caries was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index for deciduous teeth (dmft index) and for permanent teeth (DMFT index). In addition, height and weight were assessed for each subject, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The buffer capacity and the pH was determined after collecting stimulated saliva. Undernourished children presented a higher caries incidence and a lower salivary pH value compared with the normal weight and overweight children. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted in order to study the relationship between BMI, pH, dental caries and salivary buffer capacity. Future preventive programs should include nutrition control in order to prevent both the apparition of dental caries and of malnutrition.

Differences in the Salivary Parameters and Caries Status Between the Underweight, Normal, and Obese Children in Medan Primary Schools

“…The mean pH of underweight and obese children was considerably lower compared to the normal BMI group (Table 2). Consistent with our findings, Anamaria asserted that the mean pH of normal children was higher compared to the mean pH of the underweight and obese children [11]. In the present investigation, the mean buffer capacity of underweight and obese children was undoubtedly lower compared to children with normal BMI (Table 2).…”

“…According to Johansson et al, other than lower bicarbonate ion concentration, other factors may impact on the buffer capacity such as genetics and dietary habit [13]. Therefore, regulation of optimum buffer capacity would, in turn, regulate the saliva pH in children [11].…”

“…Therefore, the receded salivary flow rate in underweight and obese children would undoubtedly aggravate the risk of dental caries. This is possible as bacterial adhesion on the dental surface can occur easily without impediment due to diminished self-cleaning activity [10,11].…”

A review of GI conditions critical to oral drug absorption in malnourished children

“…The pH of saliva was reported to be lower (6.9 ± 1.85) in underweight children compared to children of a normal weight (8.1 ± 1.95) (aged 6-12 years) [45] (Table 2b). In addition a reduction in salivary buffer capacity has been reported for this patient group [23,32,45].…”

“…Dosage form integrity could be affected by mechanical forces caused by tongue and palate as well as by the volume, pH, buffer capacity and composition of saliva. Salivary pH and buffer capacity also play an important role in dental diseases and compared to healthy children a higher incidence of caries and other dental diseases have been observed in children with poverty driven malnutrition [44,45]. Increased residence time and drug release in the oral cavity can increase systemic drug absorption across the oral mucosa.…”