Influence of the antioxidant content of saliva on dental caries in an at-risk community

Objective This study aims to evaluate the relationship between the total antioxidant capacity of saliva and the presence of dental caries in deciduous and permanent teeth, in a group of Saharan children. Methods The dental examination was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). The total antioxidant capacity of the saliva was determined by colorimetry. Results The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the saliva of patients with caries in deciduous teeth was 2.89 1/IC50 greater than among those without. We observed a statistically signifi cant linear regression between the number of deciduous teeth affected by caries and the total antioxidant capacity of the saliva: y = 0.24 + 0.53 × TAC saliva (t = 2.93; p = 0.004) (95% CI of b: 0.018-0.088). Conclusions Our results show that the amount of caries in deciduous teeth is in direct proportion to the observed TAC of saliva, and that the presence of caries in deciduous teeth is associated with caries in permanent teeth.