Interdependence of dental caries and salivary parameters in children aged 5 and 12 years

Introduction: The aim of our research is to determine the relationship between some salivary parameters and dental caries in a group of subjects with primary and permanent teeth. Methods: The study included 70 respondents (35 males and 35 females) aged 5 and 12 years and all of them had their caries incidence, caries risk profile, oral hygiene index and the level of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans colonies in saliva recorded. Results: The results obtained from the tests for the total mean values of dmfs (5.35) and DMFT (5.54) were high and in both age groups there was no statistical difference in the values between the sexes p>0.05. There was a statistical difference between the level of risk and the values for oral hygiene in both age groups of respondents. The analysis of the relationship between the intensity of caries and the pH of saliva showed statistically significant differences between the pH of saliva in both the age groups of 5 and 12 years in relation to the level of dental caries. Lactobacillus indicate that in both age groups they increase proportionally with the risk of caries and there is a very significant statistical correlation between Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus and dental caries. Conclusion: The results obtained in our research speak of the need to invest in modern preventive and preventive-therapeutic methods and measures that will be consistently and timely applied. Keywords: dental caries, oral hygiene, salivary parameters, microorganisms