Saliva characteristics and dental caries in Northwest PRECEDENT

Dental Caries is a multi-factorial disease in which host, substrate, and bacteria interact. One of the intra-oral host factors that may influence the development of caries lesions is saliva. Objectives: To investigate the association of saliva characteristics (consistency; flow rate or volume; resting pH; stimulated pH; buffering capacity; and dry mouth perception) with lifetime dental caries experience (DMF-T). Methods: Data on lifetime dental caries experience (DMF-T) and saliva was collected during the baseline assessment of an ongoing longitudinal study on caries risk assessment with a systematic random sample of patients (n=1510) visiting Northwest PRECEDENT general dental practices (n=54). Associations between Salivary Characteristics and Caries were analyzed using unadjusted Poisson GEE models for lifetime dental caries experience stratified by age groups (<18, 18-64, and 65+). Results: The percentage of participants with DMF-T >0 was 59% for children (9-17), 98% for adults (18-64), and 97% for seniors (65+). Acidic stimulated saliva (pH < 6.6) was associated with a higher mean DMF-T in children [Risk Ratio (RR)=1.9, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.4, 2.5] and adults (RR=1.3, 95%CI =1.0, 1.5) compared to those with normal stimulated salivary pH. Adults with acidic resting saliva (pH < 6.6) had higher mean DMF-T than adults with normal resting salivary pH (RR=1.1, 95%CI = 1.0, 1.1).

Conclusions: Preliminary results support that lifetime caries experience was associated with stimulated acidic pH in children and adults, and resting acidic pH in adults. Other saliva characteristics were not associated with lifetime caries experience. Supported by NIDCR grants DE016750 and DE016752.