Comparative study of oral and salivary parameters in patients with and without loss of bone mass

Abstract

Osteoporosis is an insidious and increasingly prevalent disease that can cause fractures and affect patients' quality of life. The current study comparatively evaluates patients with and without loss of bone mass in terms of salivary calcium, viscosity, and pH. A controlled cross-sectional study was conducted in two groups of 32 postmenopausal women subjected to a bone densitometry scan and later referred for dental management at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The patients were assigned to two groups: Group 1 - patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) and Group 2 - patients without bone mineral changes. The following salivary parameters were evaluated: calcium concentration, flow rate, viscosity, pH, and average total protein. An oral examination was performed for assessment of DMFT variables and tongue coating. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, adopting a p-value < 0.05. The patients' mean age was 60 years (± 7.35). Salivary flow, pH, and viscosity were similar among the groups. Average total protein was 14.8 mg/mL and 19.0 mg/mL in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Tongue coating and salivary calcium levels were significantly higher in Group 1 (p < 0.001). Salivary calcium is an important screening tool and may eventually be used for the diagnosis of bone mineral changes.

Composition and Properties of Saliva in Patients with Osteoporosis Taking Antiresorptive Drugs

“…So far, numerous papers have been published describing the levels of biomarkers associated with bone resorption and formation in various bodily fluids of patients with bone mineral changes [34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. In saliva, the following were the most frequently tested: N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX), C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), salivary calcium, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin [37][38][39][40]. Some adverse effects of AR therapy on oral health have been highlighted recently; however, little is known about its potential side effects on the physicochemical properties of saliva.…”

Changes in the pH and the Flow Rate of Saliva During Orthodontic Treatment with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances: A Systematic Review

“…Additionally, 1373 full-text reports were not accessible among the 25 full-text articles we assessed for eligibility, 18 studies were subsequently excluded. 3 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 Finally, 7 studies were included in a systematic review. 2 , 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 An overview of the search results and the screening process is summarized in the study flow chart ( Figure 1 ).…”

The potential of salivary biomarkers of nutritional status and dietary intake: A Systematic Review

“…Two studies found that post-menopausal women with a lower BMD had higher salivary calcium than post-menopausal women without bone mineral changes [88] or pre-menopausal or pregnant women [45]. Long-term supplementation of vitamin D combined with calcium, did not significantly affect salivary calcium in osteoporotic women [40].…”

“…Limited, but promising, evidence was reported for salivary calcium and BMD in post-menopausal women, as those with lower a BMD had higher unstimulated calcium levels compared to premenopausal or pregnant women [45] or post-menopausal women without bone mineral changes [88]. This suggests that salivary calcium may be a useful screening tool for bone mineral changes and has the potential for early diagnoses of osteoporosis [88]. Unfortunately, as the included studies did not assess serum calcium levels, the relationship between salivary and serum calcium is currently unclear.…”