Study of salivary inorganic elements in relations to dental caries in a group of Malaysian primary school children in Shah Alam / Hala Fathallah Ali Ben Ghasheer

Introduction: Dental caries is one of the most common dental diseases. It is a competition
between the pathologic factors such as bacteria and carbohydrates and the protective factors such
as saliva. Saliva refers to the fluid that surrounds oral tissues and maintains normal physiologic
functions. Previous studies had shown that inorganic constituents of saliva played an essential role
in the caries process. Objectives: To determine and compare the concentration of salivary
inorganic elements namely, Sodium (Na), Potassium (K), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese
(Mn) and Iron (Fe) and assess their possible relationship with caries in unstimulated saliva
obtained from Malaysian school children aged 8-12 years old in Shah Alam. Methods: 120
primary school children were included; caries status of each child was scored. Five ml of
unstimulated whole saliva was obtained. Saliva samples subjected to analysis of elements
concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results: Na, K, Cu and Zn mean
levels in caries free group were 16.88±8.20 ppm, 21.57± 11.29 ppm, 0.12±0.06 ppm and
0.09±0.05 ppm, respectively. While in caries group the mean levels were 40.41 ±20.66 ppm,
30.39±13.53 ppm, 0.29±0.08 ppm and 0.14±0.10 ppm, respectively. Mn and Fe levels did not
show any significant variation. All the investigated elements showed highly significant variations
when compared among Malays, Indians and Chinese groups. A statistically significant difference
was observed between different age groups. No sex based difference was found. Conclusions:
Na, Cu and Zn levels in saliva were significantly lower in caries free group, K level in saliva was
significantly higher in caries free group. A statistically significant positive correlation was
recorded between salivary Na, Cu and Zn levels and dental caries, while a negative correlation
was found between salivary K and dental caries, thus suggesting the possibility of their effect and
potentiality in modifying the dental caries.