Caries experience in relation to oral hygiene, salivary cariogenic microflora, buffer capacity and secretion rate in 6-year olds and 12 year olds in Riga.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess possible relationship between oral hygiene, salivary cariogenic microflora, buffer capacity, secretion rate and caries experience in 6 year olds and 12 year olds in Riga, and to evaluate these variables in relation to caries risk.


METHODS
50 children aged 6 and 71 children aged 12 were examined clinically and by bitewing X-ray for caries diagnosis. Green-Vermillion oral hygiene index, stimulated salivary flow rate and buffer capacity were estimated (CRT-buffer; Ivoclar, Vivadent, Liechtenstein). Salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) (CRT-bacteria; Vivadent) were determined only for children with dmft/DMFT>4: 60% at age of 6, 54,9% at age of 12. All data were statistically analyzed using frequency tables, Pearson chi2test and ANOVA analysis.


RESULTS
Mean DMFT was 0.12 in 6 year olds, and 4.6 in 12 year olds. Mean Green-Vermillion index was 0.75 in 6 year olds and 0.99 in 12 year olds. Caries experience and Green-Vermillion index were associated only in 6 year olds (p=0.024). Salivary MS was associated with Green-Vermillion index only in 12 year olds (p=0.086). Salivary MS and caries experience were associated only in 12 year olds (p=0.010). Salivary LB was associated with stimulated saliva's secretion rate only in 12 year olds (p=0.027). Salivary cariogenic microflora level and buffer capacity were associated in 6 year olds (p for MS=0.010; p for LB=0.052). Same association was observed only between salivary MS and buffer capacity in 12 year olds (p=0.081). Stimulated saliva's secretion rate and buffer capacity were associated only in 12 year olds (p=0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Information of caries risk factors should be used to work effectively on caries reduction in 6 year olds and 12 year olds in Riga.
Gudkina
Jekaterina
J
Conservative Dentistry Department, Dzirciema str 20, Institute of Stomatology, Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia. e.strosmane@latnet.lv
Brinkmane
Anda
A
D000367:Age Factors; D002021:Buffers; D002648:Child; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007844:Latvia; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D002021:Buffers