Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry (Nov 2020)
Comparison of Some Salivary Characteristics in Iraqi Children with Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and Children without Early Childhood Caries
Abstract
Maha Jamal Abbas,1 Haraa Khairi Al-Hadithi,1 Maha Abdul-Kareem Mahmood,1 Hashim Mueen Hussein2 1Department of Orthodontics, Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq; 2Department of Dentistry, Al-Rafidian University-College, Baghdad, IraqCorrespondence: Hashim Mueen HusseinDepartment of Dentistry, Al-Rafidain University-College, Palestine Street, P.O., Box 46036, Baghdad, IraqTel +964 780 710 1071Email [email protected]: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a unique form of caries that develops in temporary dentition. It has a multifactorial infectious disease. Saliva is one of the most important factors, which has an important protective effect against tooth decay when its multiple characteristics and functions are normal. The study aimed to compare some salivary characteristics in children with ECC and children without ECC.Materials and Methods: Case-control, cross-sectional observational study. The 77 pre-schoolers aged 37 to 72 months (12 with ECC, 26 with ECC-S, and 39 without ECC) examined and we collected the stimulated saliva. The pH microelectrode was used to determine pH and buffer capacity; a formula that involves volume, collection time, and specific saliva weight was used to test the salivary flow rate. The potentiometric and phosphate methods were used to determine fluoride through spectrophotometric, colorimetric absorption techniques.Results: The results got to show that there are no statistically significant differences in pH, buffer capacity, salivary flow rate, and levels of fluoride and phosphate, in children with ECC, ECC-S, and without ECC. The risk factors, such as mother’s education, bottle use, brushing frequency, and previous dental care of the child are more important at the time of developing ECC than some salivary variables.Conclusion: The risk factors, such as mother’s education, bottle use, brushing frequency, and previous dental care of the child are more important at the time of developing ECC than some salivary variables such as pH, buffer capacity, salivary flow rate, and levels of fluoride and phosphate.Keywords: early childhood caries, fluoride, saliva, phosphate, buffer capacity, tooth brushing
