title: Salivary pH and Buffering Capacity as Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnostic utility of saliva is currently being explored in various branches of dentistry, remarkably in the field of caries research. This study was aimed to determine if assessment of salivary pH and buffering capacity would serve as reliable tools in risk prediction of early childhood caries (ECC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin-stimulated salivary samples were collected from 50 children with ECC (group I) and 50 caries free children (group II). Salivary pH and buffering capacity (by titration with 0.1 N hydrochloric acid) were assessed using a handheld digital pH meter in both groups. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically, no significant difference was observed between both the groups for all salivary parameters assessed, except for the buffering capacity level at 150 μl titration of 0.1 N hydrochloric acid (p = 0.73; significant at 1% level).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salivary pH and buffering capacity may not serve as reliable markers for risk prediction of ECC. How to cite this article: Jayaraj D, Ganesan S. Salivary pH and Buffering Capacity as Risk Markers for Early Childhood Caries: A Clinical Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(3):167-171.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences Gorimedu, Puducherry, India The author Late Dr D Jayaraj was a mentor and visionary with immense knowledge and experience in the subject. We pay our regards with deepest gratitude to the departed soul to rest in peace.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jayaraj
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics Mahatma Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences Gorimedu, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganesan
keywords: Buffering capacity; Early childhood caries; Risk assessment; Saliva.; pH