Sucrose-stimulated Salivary pH as an Adjunct to Caries Risk Assessment

Background Child and maternal sucrose-stimulated salivary pH ( SSS pH ) levels have the potential to be associated with childhood caries. Aim This study investigated the relationships among child and maternal SSS pH and child caries diagnosis, severity, and risk. Design SSS pH levels were measured from 202 pediatric subjects and 175 mothers. Early childhood caries ( ECC ) and severe ECC ( SECC ) diagnoses, caries risk assessment ( CRA ) results, and caries severity scores were recorded. The associations between child and maternal SSS pH and children’s caries risk, diagnosis, and severity were respectively assessed using regression models. Results Children with SSS pH ≤5.6 had higher odds to be diagnosed with ECC or SECC (aOR=7.27), and higher odds to present with moderate to extensive caries severity (aOR=5.63). Child SSS pH was associated with multiple risk factors on a CRA. When child SSS pH was adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity as a predictor for SECC and ECC, the sensitivity and specificity estimates increased. Maternal and child SSS pH were positively associated. Conclusions Dentists should consider the use of children’s SSS pH as an inexpensive adjunct to the CRA and know that maternal and child SSS pH are significantly associated.