Introduction: Saliva is one of the most important factor in regulating oral health. Saliva can affect incidence of dental caries by mechanical cleansing, by reducing enamel solubility by means of calcium, phosphate and fluoride, by buffering and neutralizing the acids produced by cariogenic organisms.
Aim: To estimate and compare the salivary calcium & total proteins level in caries free and caries active children.
Materials and methods: A total of 60 school children between 8-12 years of age were included in the study. They were divided into three groups of 20 each based on deft/DMFT score, Group I-Caries free (deft/DMFT = 0), Group II-Moderate Caries active (deft /DMFT≤ 5) and Group III-High caries active (deft/DMFT ≤ 10). Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected. The intensity and colour change were noted.
Result: Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA, post hoc tukey and Pearson’s correlation coefficient test. Statistical significance was found only between the groups of salivary total protein levels.
Conclusion: Negative correlation was found between salivary calcium and dental caries and positive correlation was f ound between salivary total protein and dental caries. Statistical significance was found only between the groups in salivary total protein levels.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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