ASOCIACIÓN DE LA CARIES DENTAL CON EL FLUJO Y LA VISCOSIDAD DE LA SALIVA EN ESCOLARES DE BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA

Abstract

Objective: to determine the association between dental caries with the viscosity, the pH and the saliva flew in scholars from Bucaramanga, Colombia.Methods: an analytical cross sectional study was carried out with 90 children in which socio-demographic characteristics, diet, health condition, oral hygiene, viscosity, pH and saliva flow were collected as explanatory variables and the presence of dental caries as dependent one. In the analysis, summary measures were calculated according to the nature of each variable. For univariate statistical analysis summary measures were calculated according to the nature of the variables. For bivariate chi-square test and Fisher exact test for qualitative variables and Student t test or Wilcoxon rank test for quantitative variables was applied. For binomial regression multivariate analysis was applied and Prevalence Ratios (PR) and confidence intervals of 95% (CI 95%) were calculated.Results: it was found that being over eight years [PR 1.4 CI 95% 1.3 - 1.4], having an abnormal salivary flow [PR 1.3 CI 95% 1.2 - 1.3] and abnormal salivary viscosity [PR 1.3 CI 95% 1.2 - 1.3] were statistically significantly associated with dental caries.Conclusion: decreased salivary flow and increased viscosity of saliva were associated with the presence of dental caries in the school population evaluated. It is important to consider these criteria to analyze the risk to dental caries.