Salivary flow rates, per se, may not serve as consistent predictors for dental caries

Background: This clinical study evaluated the effects of salivary flow rate, age, race, health status and medications on the incidence of caries. Methods: Caucasian and African-American men and women (n = 501), aged 22 93 years participated in the study. Stimulated (S) and unstimulated (U) parotid (P) and submandibular glands (SM) salivary secretions were collected. Stimulated whole saliva (SWS) was collected as control. Glandular stimulation was achieved using 2% citric acid at 30-second intervals to the dorsal surface of the tongue. Salivary flow rates (SFR) were calculated by total weight of saliva divided by 5 minutes and expressed in ml/minute. Coronal caries were scored using the NIDR DMFS index. Carious lesions were classified according to tooth surfaces by a calibrated single examiner. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the association between SFR with age and percentage of carious teeth. Multiple regression analyses were calculated at (p < 0.05). Results: The variables gender, race, age, health status, medication usage and salivary function were not predictors for dental disease. Additionally, these risk factors were not risk factors for missing teeth. Conclusions: In conclusion, cross-sectional investigations are limited in their ability to identify the relevant variables for disease prediction. In addition, clinical and basic science investigations will be necessary to assess risk factors for dental caries.