Salivary Immunoglobulin A and Streptococcus mutans Levels among Lebanese Preschool Children with Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

Aim and objective: We checked in this study the correlation between total immunoglobulin A (IgA) and Streptococcus mutans (SM) levels in saliva derived from Lebanese children with inappropriate eating habits and showing early childhood caries (ECC). Materials and methods: Sixty Lebanese preschool children with similar alimentation were included in this study and divided into two groups. Group I included children having 0 cavities where group II contained children having ECC. We measured the SM and IgA levels collected from saliva and dental plaque. Results: We observed a significant difference in SM levels between the two groups (p < 0.001). There was a marginal correlation between salivary total IgA and SM collected from dental plaque (r = 0.33, p = 0.077). However, no significant correlation was detected between total salivary IgA and salivary SM (p = 0.35). Conclusion: This study suggests the absence of significant relationship between salivary markers of immune system and the development of ECC. Clinical significance: Early childhood caries is a public dental health problem that has been affecting preschool children all over the world. Its prevention must be a priority for all professionals in the medical and dental community. This study highlights the absence of correlation between total IgA and SM collected from the saliva. This does not completely exclude the preventive role of salivary immune components, but further studies are required to better understand this relationship.