Interdependence of dental caries and salivary parameters in children

AIM or PURPOSE: Dental caries is considered to be the result of the disturbance of the ecological balance of the oral cavity, rather than the result of poor nutrition or insufficient oral hygiene. The aim of our research is to determine the relationship between some salivary parameters and dental caries in a group of respondents with primary and permanent teeth. MATERIALS and METHOD: In the research, we included 70 respondents (35 male and female each) aged 5 and 12 years, and the incidence of caries, the caries risk profile, the oral hygiene index and the level of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans colonies in saliva were noted in all of them. RESULTS: The results obtained from the tests for the total mean values of dmft (5.35) and DMFT (5.54) were of high values and in both age groups there was no statistical difference for the values between the sexes p>0.05. There was a statistical difference between the caries risk level and oral hygiene values in both age groups of subjects. Analysis of the relationship between caries intensity and salivary pH showed statistically significant differences between salivary pH and in the age group of 5 and 12 years in the level of dental caries. Lactobacillus indicate that in both age groups they increase in proportion to caries risk and there is a highly significant statistical correlation between Lactobacillus, Streptococcus mutans and dental caries. CONCLUSION(S): The results obtained in our research indicate the need to invest in modern preventive and preventive therapeutic methods and measures, which will be consistently and promptly applied.