Physico-chemical properties of the oral fluid and their importance in ensuring dental health

Abstract

Background. The incidence of dental caries is high regardless of age and region. In this regard, there is a need to study the risk factors for the development of caries, in particular, the physicochemical properties of oral fluid as one of them. Aim of the research was to study the physico-chemical properties of oral fluid in children with caries of different levels of intensity and in caries free children. Materials & Methods. An examination of 6-year-old children living in Bukovina was conducted. The following observation groups were selected: Group I – 69 children suffering from caries, and Group II – 26 caries free children. The rate of saliva secretion, physicochemical properties of oral fluid were studied: pH, viscosity, buffer capacity. The probability of the results was statistically assessed. Results. In children with different levels of caries intensity, the level of salivation differed: for children with a high level of intensity was characterized by a low level of salivation, and for children with a low level – a high level of salivation. The viscosity of saliva was increased in children with caries of varying intensity. The buffer capacity of saliva was low in children with low levels of caries and very low in children with high levels of caries. PH in children with medium and high intensity was below normal. The analysis of the results of the Test of enamel resistance depending on caries activity showed that in children with a low level of intensity of caries, the enamel was conditionally resistant, and under the conditions of medium and high levels of intensity – the average structural and functional resistance of the enamel and the average acid resistance of the teeth. Conclusions. Thus, in children suffering from caries with different levels of intensity, there are changes in the quantitative and qualitative parameters of the oral fluid, which lead to disorders of the homeostasis of the oral cavity and deepening of the pathological process in the hard tissues of the teeth. Keywords: caries, children, buffer capacity, level of salivation, pH.