Salivary Biomarkers in Caries Affected and Caries Free Children

Background: Dental caries is a major health problem among school children. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in saliva are part of host innate immunity. AMPs may play a significant role in defense or vulnerability to dental caries. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different salivary biomarkers and caries risk assessment. Methods: Oral examinations were performed on 80 school children. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from 40 caries-free and 40 caries-affected children to evaluate the saliva flow rate, pH, total protein concentration, total antioxidant, α-defensin and cariogenic microorganisms. Results: There were significant differences between caries free and caries affected children in relation to salivary pH and α-defensin. In addition, the percentage of children with streptococcus mutans or lactobacilli ≥ 105 cfu/ml was significantly higher in caries affected children compared to caries free children. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding to saliva flow rate, total protein and total antioxidant. Conclusion: Children with caries experience had low levels of α-defensin and salivary pH and greater numbers of streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. These findings could lead to new tools to screen and assess caries susceptibility in children.