title: Comparison of some salivary characteristics between children with and without early childhood caries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. Saliva as a host factor plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of oral structures. The aim of the present study was to compare resting salivary pH, buffering capacity, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), calcium, and phosphate concentrations between children with and without ECC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, samples of unstimulated saliva of 90 children (45 in ECC group and 45 in caries-free group) were taken with Scully method. The pH and buffering capacity were determined by pH meter. sIgA, calcium, and phosphate concentrations were quantitated with ELISA, CPC photometric, and phosphomolybdate/UV methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean resting salivary pH was significantly higher among children without ECC and the buffering capacity was significantly better among this group (P = 0.002). The mean sIgA concentration was significantly higher among the ECC group (P = 0.015). There were no statistically significant differences between calcium and phosphate concentrations between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The higher mean resting salivary pH and better buffering capacity found in children without ECC are probably the contributing factors that protect against caries development; but further studies are needed to understand the effects of saliva and its characteristics and components on ECC.
authors: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Bagherian
authors: Gholamreza
authors: G
authors: Asadikaram
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002021:Buffers; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003124:Colorimetry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008297:Male; D008982:Molybdenum; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D010783:Photometry; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010710:Phosphates; D010756:Phosphoric Acids; D008982:Molybdenum; C003125:phosphomolybdic acid; D002118:Calcium