Flow Rate and Composition of Whole Saliva in Children from Rural and Urban Thailand with Different Caries Prevalence and Dietary Intake

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of dental caries, dietary composition and whole salivary flow rates together with some of the components of saliva between two groups of children aged 12-16 years, one group from an urban area and the other from a rural area of Thailand. A stratified random samples were taken by class from one schools in each area. The children who had mixed dentition and/or who had migrated from other area of Bangkok and 138 students were selected from a school in a rural area of Khon Kaen in northeast Thailand. Results of completed 24-hour dietary recalls for three consecutive days examining the average nutrient intake were compared looking for differences, if any, between these two groups of children. Dental examinations and whole salivary sampling were also undertaken and possible relationships between some nutrients and certain salivary factors were explored. The prevalence of dental caries was found to be higher in the students living in the urban area. The children in the rural area consumed a higher load of carbohydrate, which came mainly from sticky rice. There was no difference in the protein consumption between the two groups, although the children in the rural area consumed more protein from vegetable sources. The salivary flow rate and the concentrations of fluoride, calcium and phosphate were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the group from the rural area, while the salivary pH, buffer capacity, concentrations of total protein and urea were higher in the urban area. There was no correlation between nutrient intake and salivary composition in the children from these two areas, which may suggest that dietary nutrients may not have a direct effect on salivary compositions, but it was noted that salivary flow rate correlated with salivary urea, albumin and buffer capacity in both areas.

Correlation Between Dental Caries With Salivary Flow, Ph, and Buffering Capacity in Adult South Indian Population: An in-Vivo Study

“…The group IV had lowest buffering capacity and higher values of DMFT concluding that buffering capacity had a strong correlation with dental caries. The study conducted by Johansson I et al and Saelbtröm A-K et al 21 , showed that, the decreased buffering capacity due to more acidic pH, resulted increased incidence of dental caries, which supports the present study. Also the study conducted by WG Young et al states that the decreased buffering capacity causes the demineralisation of the tooth structure which results in dental caries, which supports our present study.…”

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

“…This unstimulated flow, is what is secreted by the salivary glands the majority of the time. Unstimulated saliva is essential for the health and well being of the oral cavity and also bestows a strong protective effect to the oral cavity, against dental caries [10].…”

Factores salivales asociados a prevalencia e incremento de caries dental en escolares rurales

“…16 mostraron asociación entre altas concentraciones de calcio y fosfato en saliva total y baja prevalencia de caries en niños residentes en áreas rurales. Por el contrario, Kargul et al 15 no detectaron diferencias en la composición inorgánica de la saliva entre niños que presentaban o no caries.…”