Online published on 25 November, 2013.
To evaluate salivary pH, flow rate, buffering capacity and total antioxidant capacity of caries active and caries free children.
Salivary parameters were investigated in 80 healthy children, divided into two groups 4–8 years and 17–18 years. They were divided into two sub-groups: caries free and caries active, each of which was further subdivided into two groups according to gender. Unstimulated saliva was collected from all the groups and analysed for pH, flow rate, buffering capacity and total antioxidant capacity. The data was statistically analysed by Student's t-test and bivariate ANOVAtest.
The results revealed that salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity was significantly low in caries active children as compared to caries free children (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in the total antioxidant capacity of caries active and caries free children although the Total antioxidant capacity of saliva in males was higher than in females.
Decreased levels of pH, flow rate and buffering capacity of saliva play important role in the development of caries.
Saliva, Flow rate, buffering capacity, ph, Antioxidant capacity, caries activity
