Oral Manifestations in Children With Gastroesophageal-reflux-disease: Partial Results

Objectives: The aim of this study is to observe the relationship between halitosis, salivary flow, pH, buffer capacity of the saliva, dental erosion and dental caries and also social-economic status and quality of life in children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Methods: Twelve volunteers participated in this study. Organoleptic evaluation of the halitosis and salivary tests (flow, pH and buffering capacity) were carried out. Clinical examination for the detection of erosion and dental caries were performed in accordance with BEWE and ICDAS indexes, respectively. The Brazil Economic Classification Criterion (CCEB) was used for economic classification. In addition, volunteers answer a questionnaire about quality of life, validated in Brazil (Child-OIDP) for age group of 11-14 years old.
Results: Six volunteers did not have halitosis and six volunteers had moderate halitosis; the salivary flow rate of the volunteers ranged between 0.3 and 1.7 ml/min; Salivary pH ranged between 7.1 and 7.6; Ten volunteers had low salivary buffering capacity (pH<4.0) and two volunteers had moderate salivary buffering capacity (pH 4.5-5.5). According to BEWE, two volunteers had no risk of dental erosion, eight had low risk and one had moderate risk. Only four volunteers had not shown carious lesions. Regarding the socio-economic level, it may be noted that family income is between $ 323 to $ 1172,5. Four caregivers are illiterate or had incomplete elementary school, one had completed elementary school or incomplete middle school, one had completed middle school/incomplete high school, five had completed high school or incomplete college and only one had completed college.
Conclusions: These data, although preliminary, suggest that there is no interference in the quality of life of children with GERD.