Evaluation of Flow Rate, pH, and Buffering Capacity of Saliva in Children with Caries, Fluorosis, and Caries with Fluorosis

BACKGROUND: Saliva is one of the most important aids in the diagnosis of various oral diseases. Few physicochemical properties of saliva such as flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity often vary with the occurrence of dental caries, fluorosis, and other systemic conditions. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity in healthy children, children with caries, children with fluorosis, and children with both caries + fluorosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 144 children aged 7–14 years and were divided into four groups of 36 children each. Group I, 36 healthy children with no caries and fluorosis; group II, 36 children with caries (dmfs ≤ 10); group III, 36 children with fluorosis (moderate to severe); and group IV, 36 children with caries + fluorosis. Unstimulated saliva is collected from all the selected subjects and evaluated for the salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity. The recorded data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using a paired t-test. RESULTS: The mean salivary flow rate and buffering capacity were found to be highest in group III when compared with all the other groups. The mean pH was greater in group I when compared with groups I, II, and III. CONCLUSION: The physicochemical properties of saliva like pH, buffering capacity, and salivary flow rate alter with caries and fluorosis conditions. Hence, more clinical and laboratory studies are needed to determine the exact relationship between these physicochemical properties of saliva in dental caries and fluorosis. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: E RR, S S, M K, et al. Evaluation of Flow Rate, pH, and Buffering Capacity of Saliva in Children with Caries, Fluorosis, and Caries with Fluorosis. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(4):587–590.