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

Abstract

Background and objectives: 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.Materials and methods: The present study included one hundred and twenty healthy children who were divided into two groups and subdivided according to gender. They were further divided into caries free and caries active children 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 levels. The data was then statistically analyzed using student’s ‘t’ test {unpaired}.Results: The results revealed that when all these parameters were compared among the caries free and caries active children, the flow rate, pH and buffering capacity were slightly reduced in caries active children, but the total protein and total antioxidant capacity of saliva increased significantly in caries active children and the total calcium decreased significantly in caries active children.Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, we can conclude that, the physicochemical properties of saliva play a major role in the development of caries.

Unstimulated Saliva-Related Caries Risk Factors in Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Unstimulated Salivary Flow, pH, and Buffering Capacity

“…The association between salivary buffering capacity and dental caries is inconsistent based on previous studies. One publication reported a weak negative association between unstimulated salivary buffering capacity and caries in healthy children ages 7 to 14 years [Prabhakar et al, 2009], whereas another study reported a positive association between stimulated salivary buffering capacity and caries in children ages 9 to 17 years [Cunha-Cruz et al, 2013]. There are two possible explanations for these inconsistencies.…”

“…The second is the method used to measure buffering capacity. Some studies, including our analyses, used the Ericsson method and pH meters [Prabhakar et al, 2009], which is considered the gold standard because of its objectivity, whereas other studies use pH colorimetric strips [Cunha-Cruz et al, 2013] that may introduce bias because of rater subjectivity. Future research should adopt gold standard laboratory methods in measuring buffering capacity and interpret findings carefully based on the type of saliva collected for the study.…”

Educational strategies and atraumatic restorative treatment effect on salivary characteristics: A controlled clinical trial

“…Previous studies which compared calcium and phosphate levels observed that caries‐active children showed lower levels of calcium than caries‐free ones (Prabhakar, Dodawad, & Os, ; Tayab, Rai, & Kumari, ). In caries‐free children, saliva is supersaturated with calcium and acts as a reservoir for these essential ions, favoring the remineralization process.…”

The Relationship of Salivary Flow Rate and Salivary pH on Dental Caries in Children

“…Benzer şekilde Prabhakar ve ark. aynı yaş grubu 120 çocukta yaptıkları çalışmada aktif çürüklü çocuklarda, çürük dişi olmayan çocuklara göre tükürük akım oranı ve tükürük pH'ının istatistiksel olarak fark olmasa da daha düşük olduğunu saptamışlardır (23).…”