Salivary Cariogenic Microflora, Buffer Capacity, Secretion Rate and Its Relation to Caries Experience in 12 to 15 Years Old Indian Schoolchildren

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundDental caries is a disease of multifactorial etiology and its prevalence is more in developing countries, including India. It was of interest to study the caries risk factors, mainly salivary parameters and its cariogenic association.Materials and MethodsClinical examination of 108 children was done for dental caries. Stimulated saliva was collected and salivary flow rate, salivary buffering capacity;Streptococcus mutansand Lactobacillus counts were assessed. Differences between mean decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) and salivary risk factors and their relation were assessed.ResultsThe mean DMFT was 2.41. Statistically, highly significant relation was found betweenStreptococcus mutans(χ2= 43.34, p < 0.000) and DMFT categories. Similar results were also obtained for Lactobacillus (χ2= 25.95, p < 0.000). Similarly, the role of salivary pH and secretory rate was also found to be significant in contributing to caries risk.ConclusionThe results of current study showed that there exist's a strong association either directly or indirectly between salivary variables, like salivary microflora, buffer capacity and secretion rate to caries experience.How to cite this articleGopinath NM, John J. Salivary Cariogenic Microflora, Buffer Capacity, Secretion Rate and Its Relation to Caries Experience in 12 to 15 Years Old Indian Schoolchildren. J Contemp Dent 2015;5(1):12-16.