Interrelation between salivary pH, buffer capacity and dental caries in underweight, normal weight and overweight children

Abstract

The prevalence of dental caries in Romania remains high. The objective of this study is to analyse the link between dental caries, salivary pH and buffer capacity and the nutritional status in children. This crosssectional study used a sample of 162 children, between the ages of 6 and 12 years, from Mures County, Romania. The prevalence of caries was measured using the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index for deciduous teeth (dmft index) and for permanent teeth (DMFT index). In addition, height and weight were assessed for each subject, and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The buffer capacity and the pH was determined after collecting stimulated saliva. Undernourished children presented a higher caries incidence and a lower salivary pH value compared with the normal weight and overweight children. Further longitudinal studies should be conducted in order to study the relationship between BMI, pH, dental caries and salivary buffer capacity. Future preventive programs should include nutrition control in order to prevent both the apparition of dental caries and of malnutrition.