CORRELATION BETWEEN THE pH VALUE OF STIMULATED AND UNSTIMULATED SALIVA AND THE CARIES RISK IN CHILDREN

Dusan Surdilovic* and Tatjana Ille

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to determine the pH value in stimulated and unstimulated saliva in children with a low and high risk of caries, which could correlate with the prevalence of caries. This prospective study included 123 children with permanent dentition, approximately equal sex, aged 13 to 15. Two saliva samples were taken from low and high caries risk patients - unstimulated and stimulated. Saliva samples were collected in sterile tubes, and the pH value was directly determined using a pH meter. The significance of differences in saliva pH values between groups of children at high and low risk was analyzed before and after stimulation of secretion. In the group of children at high risk, the pH values of saliva were statistically significantly lower (p <0.001) compared to the group at low risk, both in basal conditions and after stimulation. The high pH value of the stimulated saliva group with low caries risk plays a significant role in neutralizing the local acidic environment of the oral cavity.

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