THE BUFFER CAPACITY OF NIGHT SALIVA SECRETION ON STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS DYNAMICS IN YOUNG CHILDREN: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction Saliva is a clear, watery fluid that is produced by the salivary glands in the mouth. It plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health and facilitating the process of digestion. The bacterial load in nighttime saliva can be influenced by factors such as oral hygiene practices, diet, and overall oral health. Aim of the study The aim of the study is to uncover the potential connection between the presence of Streptococcus mutans bacteria and the buffering capacity of saliva, and how this connection impacts the risk of dental caries in children with ages under 5 years old. Material and methods Three groups of young patients with ages between 3 and 5 years old were formed during the regular dental check-up, in the Pedodontics Clinic of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, UMFST “G.E. Palade”. From each of the we have collected the saliva early in the morning, without the children having their teeth brushed using special sterile plastic cups. We have tested the buffer effect of the saliva using specific test and for the determination of bacterial saliva parameters we used Karies Screen Test. Results Group A – 43 (40.18%), included children who presented at least 3 dental caries, group B – 37 (34.57%) of children had 1 or 2 carries, and the control group of children – 27 (25,23%), with intact dentition without carious processes. 39 (36.44%) children had high density of Streptococcus Mutans colonies > 10 units CFU/ml saliva form group A, 35 (32.71%) children presented low to medium density < 10 units CFU/ml saliva from group B and for the group control all 27 (25.23%) children presented very low density < 5 units CFU/ml saliva. The hights buffer capacity scores were obtained for the group control. Conclusions Children with higher buffer capacity in their saliva tend to exhibit better oral health, including a lower prevalence of dental caries. The buffering capacity of saliva plays a protective role by neutralizing acids produced by oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, thus

Keywords

• buffer capacity
• saliva secretion
• streptococcus mutans
• caries lesions