Relationship between calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations of both resting and stimulated saliva and dental plaque in children and young adults

Abstract

Calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations of both resting and paraffin-wax stimulated whole saliva and dental plaque were estimated in 39 young adults and 98 children aged 12–14 yr. Plaque was collected from the adults after 48 h without tooth-brushing and consumption of a standardized diet. Plaque was collected from the children without any dietary or oral hygiene restrictions. The results from the study with children provided consistent evidence for a statistically significant relationship between salivary and plaque concentrations of both calcium and inorganic phosphorus. However, multiple regression indicated that only the concentrations in the stimulated secretion were directly associated with concentrations in plaque. The apparent relationship between concentrations in resting saliva and plaque was due to correlation between resting and stimulated saliva. These relationships were less apparent in the young adults, in whom the controlled conditions resulted in a narrower range of mineral concentrations in dental plaque.