Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: The diagnostic utility of saliva is currently being explored in various branches of dentistry, remarkably in the field of caries research. This study was aimed to determine if assessment of salivary pH and buffering capacity would serve as reliable tools in risk prediction of early childhood caries (ECC).Materials and methods: Paraffin-stimulated salivary samples were collected from 50 children with ECC (group I) and 50 caries free children (group II). Salivary pH and buffering capacity (by titration with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid) were assessed using a handheld digital pH meter in both groups. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.Results: Statistically, no significant difference was observed between both the groups for all salivary parameters assessed, except for the buffering capacity level at 150 μl titration of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (p = 0.73; significant at 1% level).Conclusion: Salivary pH and buffering capacity may not serve as reliable markers for risk prediction of ECC.How to cite this article: Jayaraj D, Ganesan S. Salivary pH and Buffering Capacity as Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(3):167-171.
Highlights
Childhood caries (ECC) is defined as the presence of one or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfacesCorresponding Author: D Jayaraj, Assistant Professor Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Gorimedu Puducherry, India, Phone: 9994071936 e-mail: kiddent07@ yahoo.com in any primary tooth in a child 71 months of age or younger
Salivary pH and buffering capacity may not serve as reliable markers for risk prediction of early childhood caries (ECC)
The study results revealed no statistically significant difference in the salivary pH and buffering capacity between the two groups and between males and females within group I children
Summary
In children younger than 3 years of age, any sign of smooth-surface caries is indicative of severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). From ages 3 to 5 years, one or more cavitated, missing (due to caries), or filled smooth surfaces in primary maxillary anterior teeth; or a decayed, missing, or filled score of ≥ 4 (age 3), ≥ 5 (age 4), or ≥ 6 (age 5) surfaces, constitute S-ECC.[1]. Enjoying good oral health ensures having more than healthy teeth, many children have inadequate oral and general health because of active and uncontrolled dental caries.[2] Despite the fact that the prevalence of dental caries has declined over the past decades, ECC remains one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood; especially in developing countries and some minority community in the western world. This study was aimed to determine if assessment of salivary pH and buffering capacity would serve as reliable tools in risk prediction of early childhood caries (ECC)
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