RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARIES SEVERITY AND SALIVARY FLUORIDE CONCENTRATIONS IN TODDLERS

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluated fluoride concentrations in saliva of toddlers presenting carious lesions at different degrees of severity. Materials and Methods: Toddlers (n=120), 12–36 months old, were assigned into four groups, according to caries severity (ICCMS™ criteria): GA – caries free; GB – initial stage; GC – moderate stage; and GD – extensive stage. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and had their fluoride content analyzed by ion-specific electrode, and the data, submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey’s HSD tests. The influence of gender, age, number of lesions, fluoride concentration in the dentifrice and caries severity on salivary F concentrations was determined by multivariate linear regression analysis (p<0.05). Results: Children from GA and GB presented significantly higher salivary fluoride levels compared with those from GC and GD, with no significant difference between GA and GB, and between GC and GD. Caries severity significantly affected fluoride concentrations in saliva, while gender, age, number of lesions and fluoride concentration in the dentifrice had no significant influence on the results. Conclusion: Salivary fluoride concentrations were significantly affected by caries severity at cavity level.