Stunting and its Effects on Salivary Biomarkers and Oral Health: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Flow Rate, pH, and Buffering Capacity

Aim This study investigates the effects of stunting on salivary characteristics in children aged 6-12 years, focusing on salivary flow rate, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity to assess oral health vulnerabilities linked to stunting. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 72 elementary students in Padang, Indonesia, equally divided into stunted and normal-growth groups. Saliva samples were collected and analyzed for flow rate, pH, viscosity, and buffering capacity. Data were processed using SPSS version 27. Results Stunted children showed significant alterations in salivary parameters, including a reduced salivary flow rate (0.02 mL/min vs . 0.63 mL/min; p = 0.001) and lower pH (5.87 vs . 7.48; p = 0.001), indicating an acidic oral environment. Additionally, salivary viscosity was higher (1.88 cP vs . 1.07 cP; p = 0.001), and buffering capacity was lower (3.63 vs . 5.92; p = 0.001) in the stunted group, suggesting impaired salivary function. Conclusion The findings highlight that stunted children are at a greater risk of oral diseases due to compromised salivary function. Interventions using CPP-ACP, probiotics, xylitol, and stimulants like pineapple juice could help improve salivary health, underscoring the need for targeted oral health strategies in this vulnerable population.