Variation in Salivary Parameters and its Correlation with Plaque and Gingival Status among 12 to 15 Years Schoolchildren of Rural and Urban Jaipur City in Winter and Summer Seasons

Background: Saliva circulating in the mouth at any given time is termed as whole saliva and comprises of mixtures of secretions from major and minor salivary glands and traces from gingival crevicular fluid. This saliva in the form of unstimulated/stimulated salivary parameters governs the overall homeostatic mechanism of mouth. Aim: To evaluate variation in salivary parameters and its correlation with plaque and gingival status among 12 to 15 years schoolchildren of rural and urban Jaipur city in winter and summer season. Objectives: To evaluate unstimulated/stimulated salivary parameters amongst 12 to 15 years schoolchildren of rural and urban Jaipur city in winter and summer using GC saliva check buffer kit by GC America Inc. To correlate unstimulated/ stimulated salivary parameters with plaque and gingival status among 12 to 15 years schoolchildren of rural and urban Jaipur city in winters and summer season. Methodology: Eighty schoolchildren of age group between 12 and 15 years were included in this study. They were divided into two groups, group 1—comprised of schoolchildren belonging to rural area and group 2—comprised of schoolchildren belonging to urban area. Each group was further divided into government and private schoolchildren, comprising of 10 subjects in each of the two schools. Study participants underwent clinical examination, and examination of salivary samples for qualitative and quantitative analysis of unstimulated/stimulated salivary parameters in winter and summer season. Results: No difference in resting salivary flow rate was observed between the two seasons but was found to be comparatively higher among urban schoolchildren as compared to rural. Viscosity of saliva increases in winter as compared to summer among rural schoolchildren. Saliva quantity was found to be very low in summer as compared to winter among rural schoolchildren. Salivary buffering capacity was found to be lower in winter season irrespective of the difference in area. Salivary pH scores were found to be higher in summer as compared to winter among both rural and urban schoolchildren, and this difference was statistically significant (<0.05). Mean plaque scores were found to be higher in winter as compared to summer. Positive correlation (+0.063) was observed between pH and plaque scores in winter season. Positive correlation (+0.045) was observed between pH and gingival scores in winter season. Conclusion: There is a need for dietary counseling and basic oral health care in the study area irrespective of the season. Food consumption patterns differ significantly in winter as compared to summer thereby affecting the oral clearance rate which directly or indirectly affects unstimulated and stimulated salivary patterns and plaque and gingival status. How to cite this article: Gaur A, Anup N, Sharma R. Variation in Salivary Parameters and its Correlation with Plaque and Gingival Status among 12 to 15 Years Schoolchildren of Rural and Urban Jaipur City in Winter and Summer Seasons. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2012;5(1):39-48.