title: Variation of salivary calcium, phosphate and buffering capacity in adolescents.
abstract: Calcium, phosphate and buffering capacity were measured in children's (n=43) unstimulated saliva between September 1990 and June 1991 inclusive. Saliva samples were collected in the afternoon, once a month, on 10 consecutive occasions. Buffering capacity was assessed immediately after sample collection using the Dentobuff strip method. The remainder of the saliva sample was then stored at -18 degrees C and, after thawing, total calcium and inorganic phosphate were measured. The intra-individual variation of buffering capacity over time was statistically significant (Friedman two-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). The intra-individual variability of salivary calcium was also statistically significant (repeated-measures ANOVA, p < 0.001). However, no evidence of a statistically significant variation in phosphate was observed. It is concluded that a combination of flow-rate fluctuation over time and the methods used to assess salivary constituents might have contributed to this variability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Public Health, United Medical Dental Schools, London, UK.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Svehla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002021:Buffers; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D010710:Phosphates; D011934:Reagent Strips; D002118:Calcium