Property evaluation of children’s oral fluid during orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Introduction. During the period of correction of dento-maxillary anomalies (DMA) children have an increased risk of developing dental caries. Early detection of individual risk factors and estimation of the chances of new carious cavities contributes substantially to the effective prevention of dental caries. Purpose. Property evaluation of children’s oral fluid during orthodontic treatment. Material and methods. The number of Streptococcus mutans in oral fluid (OF) was determined using the Saliva Check Mutans kit, pH, buffer capacity and OF flow rate by applying Saliva-Check Buffer kit to 48 children with ADM: 12 children with fixed systems, 12 children that were planning orthodontic treatment and 24 conventionally healthy children. Results. In children undergoing orthodontic treatment with fixed systems the flow of OF was increasing and the pH decreased below 5. In most patients with fixed orthodontic appliances the number of Streptococcus mutans in OF was higher than 5x10 5 CFU / ml. Conclusions. The accumulation of dental biofilm in the fixed orthodontic system, the increased number of Streptococcus mutans and the decrease in the pH below 5, are important carious risk factors that must be considered when planning individualized preventive programs.