Evaluation of salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, calcium and total protein levels in caries free and caries active adolescence

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to compare salivary flow rate, pH, calcium, buffering capacity and total protein between caries free and caries active adolescence. Un-stimulated whole saliva was collected from one hundred healthy adolescences with age range of 15 to 17 years who were divided to four groups: caries free female, caries free male, caries active female, caries free male. Then, flow rate of saliva was determined and samples were analyzed for pH, calcium, buffering capacity and total protein. The date was analyzed using student’s t-test. The results showed that when all of these parameters were compared among caries free and caries active groups, buffering capacity of saliva decreased significantly in caries active group. Comparison of all of these parameters between girls and boys revealed the level of total protein and buffering capacity were significantly higher and pH was significantly lower in boys as compared to girls. Level of flow rate and composition of saliva were different between caries free and caries active adolescence. Moreover, buffering capacity decreased in caries active group. Notably difference in quantity and quality of saliva can contribute as an important causal factor in explaining sex difference in caries rate. Key words: Dental caries, saliva, pH, buffers, calcium, salivary proteins.