Study on risk factors of caries and evaluation of a test indicating dental plaque pH values, the revealed of the plaque and the buffer capacity of the saliva

Objectives: quantify the factors of dental caries risk as well as determine the association among dental plaque pH values, the buffer capacity of the saliva and the revealed of the plaque with the tooth decay indexes.

Material and methods: cross-sectional study. Selection: serial sampling. Population of: 339 sample group of 6 years old children and 258 sample group of 12 years old children (319 male and 278 female, 597 in total). Survey to parents, oral examination and realization of three non-invasive tests on each child. Variables: nationality, dental caries indexes, dental brushing, sugar consumption, use of fluoride mouthwashes, pH of the plaque, buffer capacity of the saliva, index of coloured plaque, injuries in teeth and resistant surfaces, active decay , fillings in poor condition and orthodontic treatments.

Results: regarding the whole sample of 597 people, 5.2% (31/597) are immigrants. Index co(d) at six years: 1.5. CAO (D) at twelve: 1.08. Eighty-nine and three percent (533/597) brush their teeth at least once a day, even though only 4.5% do it correctly. On the other hand, 36.7% (219/597) occasionally consume sugars between meals. The pH of the plaque is alkaline in 42.4% (253/597) and the saliva has a normal buffer capacity in 22.3% (133/597). There are 156 cases (26.1%) with active decay. An association statistically significative (p<0.05) has been found between the pH of the acid plaque and higher values of tooth decay.

Conclusions: we found that it is easier to brush one’s teeth than maintaining healthy dietetic habits. When brushing one’s teeth the quality of brushing is very poor. Testing the pH of the plaque is the only fact that is useful as a prediction.