Comparison of salivary calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in children with severe, moderate caries and caries free in Tehran's kindergarthens

Background: The most common dental disease in childhood is dental caries. This study was carried out to recognize the components of saliva which are protective factors in children in order to evaluate and predict caries susceptible and caries resistant individuals.
Methods: A total of 75 subjects of either sex aged 3-5 years old from kindergartens in Tehran were selected and divided into 3 groups (case group: dmft>6, control group 1: 1<6, control group 2: dmft<1). Unstimulated whole saliva was collected and assayed by biochemical methods to determine salivary calcium, inorganic phosphate and alkaline phosphatase.
Results: There was no significant changes in salivary calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase activity and their ratio with progress of disease (P>0.05). However, the results showed that salivary phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in caries free group and calcium in the group with severe caries was somewhat more than those in other groups.
Conclusions: Despite the results of the present study, the relationship between salivary components and caries rate in children remainslcontroversial. So, more and wide studies are necessary to achieve some practical criteria for predicting dental caries, recognition of susceptible persons and finally prevention of caries in children.