Salivary antioxidant status and oral health in children and adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. The pathogenesis of oral diseases may be associated with oxidative stress. Salivary antioxidant system constitutes one of the key salivary defence mechanisms against pathogens and a protective factor for oral cavity. Aim. To investigate the relationship between oral health (hygiene level, gingival and dental health), age and gender and antioxidant capacity parameters in children and adolescents with permanent dentition. Material and methods. A total of 87 patients were examined. DMFT/DMFS and white spot lesions (WSL), oral hygiene level and gingival health were assessed. Salivary samples were collected from all participants. Unstimulated salivary flow was calculated and salivary samples were assayed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Results. Antioxidant capacity parameters were lower in patients with caries, active caries, white spot lesions, poor oral hygiene and gingivitis, but the differences were not statistically significant. Oxidative stress parameters were significantly higher in low unstimulated salivary flow. Spearman’s rank correlation analysis revealed no relationship between TAC or FRAP values and patients’ gender, but there was a positive correlation between TAC/FRAP and patients’ age. Conclusions. Salivary antioxidant capacity parameters differ in certain oral conditions. There is a correlation between salivary antioxidant capacity parameters and patients’ age.