title: Evaluating the physicochemical properties and inorganic elements of saliva in caries-free and caries-active  children. An in vivo study.
abstract: AIM The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the physicochemical properties of saliva, such as salivary flow  rate, volume, pH and buffer capacity and the levels of salivary sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphate ions in caries-free  and caries-active children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study included 100 healthy children aged 7-12 years  belonging to a rural population from Thiruvallur district (in Chennai, India), who were divided into Group 1 caries-free and  Group 2 caries-active children, of 50 children each. Unstimulated saliva was collected by draining method and flow rate and  volume were determined. The samples were then analysed for pH and buffering capacity using a manual pH meter. Sodium,  potassium, and calcium concentration were analysed by Flame Photometer. Phosphates were analysed by Fiske and  Subbarow's colorimetric method. Data were then statistically analysed using the Student's t-test (unpaired).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The  results revealed that when all these parameters were compared among the caries-free and caries-active children, the flow  rate, volume, pH and buffering capacity were slightly reduced in the caries-active group and this was statistically significant,  whereas the calcium, potassium and sodium concentrations were increased in the caries-free group in a statistically  significant manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitation of this study, we can conclude that alterations in the  physicochemical properties of saliva such as increased salivary flow rate, volume, calcium, sodium and potassium  concentrations play a major role in the development of resistance to caries.
authors: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, MR Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, India. drtabassum2001@yahoo.co.in
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Tayab
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Rai
authors: A V
authors: AV
authors: Kumari
mesh_terms: D002021:Buffers; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D012423:Rural Health; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D010710:Phosphates; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium