Comparative Assessment of Salivary Flow Rate, Buffering Capacity, Resting PH and Dental Caries In Children With Autism

The present study aimed to assess and compare the salivary flow rate, buffering capacity, and resting pH of autistic children with healthy children and to compare the proportion of dental caries in autistic children with healthy children. A total of 100 children were included in the study, the study group consisted of 50 autistic children, and the control group consisted of 50 healthy children who visited the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, V S Dental College, Bangalore for a routine dental check-up. Salivary parameters like the flow rate, buffering capacity, and resting pH were measured using a saliva check buffer kit (GC co. Japan) and dental caries were recorded according to WHO criteria 1997. Salivary flow rate, buffering capacity, and resting pH were lower in autistic children when compared to that of healthy children and the results were statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between salivary parameters and dental caries. Increased incidence of dental caries in children with autism could be due to their behavioral characteristics and tendency to pouch food inside the mouth. In the present study reduced salivary flow rate, low buffering capacity, and reduced resting pH have been observed in autistic children, which could be the causative factors for the increased incidence of dental caries in these children.