Correlation between caries incidence and secretion rate/buffer capacity of stimulated whole saliva in 5-7-year-old children matched for lactobacillus count and gingival state.

The correlation between caries incidence and secretion rate/buffer capacity of stimulated whole saliva was studied in 87 children over the period from 5 to 7 years of age. Coefficients of correlation were calculated in subgroups homogenized with regard to lactobacillus count and gingival state. The highest value for saliva secretion rate was found in the subgroup with favourable values of the factors used for matching (r = 0.07). For buffer capacity the highest value was found in the corresponding subgroup (r = -0.31). The caries differences between groups with less favourable and favourable values of the salivary variables were also determined after elimination of the modifying effects of lactobacillus count and gingival state. The percentage difference varied between 20 and 26. It was concluded that the saliva secretion rate and buffer capacity of saliva have a weak connection with caries incidence at this age.