Salivary biochemical indices related to early childhood caries.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the salivary biochemical indices between caries-free individuals and those with early childhood caries (ECC), and construct a saliva-based caries diagnostic model by analyzing the correlation between salivary biochemical indices and caries severity. METHODS: A total of 120 children aged 4-6 years were selected and divided into two groups: individuals with ECC (C group, n=60) and healthy children (H group, n=60). Salivary samples were collected to compare the pH, total protein, and ion concentrations between the two groups. The correlation between the salivary biochemical indices and caries severity was examined, and an ECC diagnostic model was established. RESULTS: The NO(3)(-) concentration significantly decreased in the C group, whereas the Cl(-), Br(-), NH(4)(+), and Mg(2+) concentrations significantly increased in the C group (P<0.05). In addition, the salivary caries severity had a significantly negative correlation with the NO(3)(-) concentration but had a positive correlation with Br(-), Cl(-), and NH(4)(+) concentrations (P<0.05). The ECC diagnostic model based on salivary biochemical indices could yield satisfactory results in terms of distinguishing the C and H groups with over 85% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary biochemical indices can contribute to the diagnosis and risk assessment of ECC.