title: Descriptive analysis of the masticatory and salivary functions and gustatory sensitivity in healthy children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to better understand salivary and masticatory characteristics, this study evaluated the relationship among salivary parameters, bite force (BF), masticatory performance (MP) and gustatory sensitivity in healthy children. The secondary outcome was to evaluate possible gender differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixteen eutrophic subjects aged 7-11 years old were evaluated, caries-free and with no definite need of orthodontic treatment. Salivary flow rate and pH, total protein (TP), alpha-amylase (AMY), calcium (CA) and phosphate (PHO) concentrations were determined in stimulated (SS) and unstimulated saliva (US). BF and MP were evaluated using digital gnathodynamometer and fractional sieving method, respectively. Gustatory sensitivity was determined by detecting the four primary tastes (sweet, salty, sour and bitter) in three different concentrations. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney/t-test, Spearman correlation and multiple regression analysis, considering α = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant positive correlation between taste and age was observed. CA and PHO concentrations correlated negatively with salivary flow and pH; sweet taste scores correlated with AMY concentrations and bitter taste sensitivity correlated with US flow rate (p < 0.05). No significant difference between genders in salivary, masticatory characteristics and gustatory sensitivity was observed. The regression analysis showed a weak relationship between the distribution of chewed particles among the different sieves and BF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The concentration of some analytes was influenced by salivary flow and pH. Age, saliva flow and AMY concentrations influenced gustatory sensitivity. In addition, salivary, masticatory and taste characteristics did not differ between genders, and only a weak relation between MP and BF was observed.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry , Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Piracicaba , Brazil ;
authors.forename: Maria Carolina Salomé
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marquezin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry , Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Piracicaba , Brazil ;
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pedroni-Pereira
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry , Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Piracicaba , Brazil ;
authors.forename: Darlle Santos
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Araujo
authors.affiliation: b Department of Orthodontics , University of Chapecó , Chapecó , Brazil ;
authors.forename: João Vicente
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Rosar
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pediatric Dentistry , Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP) , Piracicaba , Brazil ;
authors.forename: Taís S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biological Sciences , Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) , Diadema , Brazil.
authors.forename: Paula Midori
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Castelo
mesh_terms: D001732:Bite Force; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D009055:Mouth / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva; D012472:Salivation / Q000502:physiology*; D055697:Taste Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Bite force; mastication; saliva; taste perception