Calcium and other salivary factors in periodontitis‐affected subjects prior to treatment

Abstract

Salivary calcium was shown to be higher in treated periodontitis-affected subjects (P+) than in periodontitis-free patients (P-). Here the aim was to study whether differences in calcium or other salivary factors exist prior to treatment. The test group consisted of 20 (15 men, 5 women) periodontitis-affected subjects and the control group 15 subjects (10 men, 5 women) free from periodontitis. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was collected to determine the flow-rate, calcium and phosphate concentrations, pH, buffering capacity, numbers of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts. The results showed a higher calcium concentration (p < 0.05) in the P+ group (mean: 1.68 mmol/l; SE: 0.06 in men and mean: 1.49 mmol/l; SE: 0.10 in women) than in the P-group (mean: 1.48 mmol/l; SE: 0.09 in men and mean: 1.18 mmol/l; SE: 0.10 in women). The P+ group had more intact teeth (mean +/- SE: 9.9 +/- 0.8 in men and 11.2 +/- 2.0 in women) than the P-group (mean +/- SE: 8.3 +/- 0.7 in men and 8.2 +/- 2.4 in women). The present findings may indicate that an elevated level of salivary Ca is characteristic of P+ patients both before and after periodontal treatment.

Salivary variables in relation to tobacco smoking and female sex steroid hormone-use in 30 to 59-year-old women

“…The importance of salivary electrolytes on dental health, especially that of calcium, has been shown earlier (15)(16)(17)(18). An association between increased salivary calcium levels and periodontitis susceptibility has also been found (19,20), and tobacco smoking appears to have an increasing effect on supragingival calculus formation (21).…”

Exopolysaccharides regulate calcium flow in cariogenic biofilms

“…As long as natural pH is maintained, the key organisms needed for the dynamic stability stage, such as non-mutans bacteria (mainly non-mutans streptococci and Actinomyces species), are found in high percentages. At this stage, the caries lesions are not formed, and the free calcium concentration around the site is probably close to equilibrium with the concentration in saliva (i.e., 1.2–1.7 mM) [11, 14]. …”

“…Different bacterial species have shown the ability to grow and form thick biofilms in the presence of naturally occurring levels of exogenous Ca 2+ [12]. Within the human oral cavity, the Ca 2+ concentrations of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid are generally 1.2–1.7 mM [11, 14]. Direct measurement of mineral release from the tooth surface has been applied for in vitro , in situ , and even in vivo samples [15, 16, 17].…”

Correlation Between Salivary Calcium Level and Periodontal Disease. A Case Control Study.

“…Khalil reported a similar finding in his study. (4,5) On the contrary Kamat et al and Sudhir Shetty reported a negative correlation for the same. (6,7) There is very limited research in this field and hence the aim of the present study was To evaluate, if there is any correlation between salivary calcium level and periodontal disease and whether it can be used as a screening tool for periodontal diseases.…”