Article: Salivary pH and Buffering Capacity as Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study

Background: 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.

Citing Articles

Prevalence and determinants of early childhood caries among preschool children in district Shimla, North India: a cross -sectional study.

Thakur S, Sharma R, Singhal P, Chauhan D BMC Oral Health. 2025; 25(1):168.

PMID: 39891156 PMC: 11786517. DOI: 10.1186/s12903-025-05435-2.

Oral microbiota in preschoolers with rampant caries: a matched case-control study.

Wu Y, Li G, Lyu C, Zhou N, Wong H Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2024; 108(1):533.

PMID: 39661115 PMC: 11634976. DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13362-5.

Updates on Caries Risk Assessment-A Literature Review.

Ng T, Luo B, Lam W, Baysan A, Chu C, Yu O Dent J (Basel). 2024; 12(10).

PMID: 39452440 PMC: 11506515. DOI: 10.3390/dj12100312.

Evaluation of Remineralization Efficacy of Nanoparticle-based Materials on White Spot Lesions in Children: A Comparative Clinical Study.

Annadurai T, Vundela R, Chowdhary N, Shivanna V, Rajasekaran S, Karuppaiah M Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2024; 17(4):425-432.

PMID: 39144181 PMC: 11320829. DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-2817.

Physical and chemical properties of saliva and its role in Early Childhood caries - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ravikumar D, Ramani P, Gayathri R, Hemashree K, Prabhakaran P J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2023; 13(5):527-538.

PMID: 37351419 PMC: 10282172. DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.05.011.

References

1.

Seow W . Biological mechanisms of early childhood caries. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998; 26(1 Suppl):8-27. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1998.tb02090.x. View

2.

Schipper R, Silletti E, Vingerhoeds M . Saliva as research material: biochemical, physicochemical and practical aspects. Arch Oral Biol. 2007; 52(12):1114-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2007.06.009. View

3.

Tenovuo J . Salivary parameters of relevance for assessing caries activity in individuals and populations. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1997; 25(1):82-6. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1997.tb00903.x. View

4.

Vitorino R, Calheiros-Lobo M, Duarte J, Domingues P, Amado F . Salivary clinical data and dental caries susceptibility: is there a relationship?. Bull Group Int Rech Sci Stomatol Odontol. 2007; 47(1):27-33. View

5.

LAMBERTS B, Pederson E, SHKLAIR I . Salivary pH-rise activities in caries-free and caries-active naval recruits. Arch Oral Biol. 1983; 28(7):605-8. DOI: 10.1016/0003-9969(83)90008-0. View

Salivary PH and Buffering Capacity As Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study