Caries, periodontal status and some salivary factors in lactovegetarians

Twenty-eight lactovegetarians as well as age- and sex-matched controls were interviewed about their dietary habits, especially the frequency of ingesting acid fruits, drinks and foods, as well as their dental health habits. Samples of stimulated saliva were collected in connection with the clinical and radiologic study. Plaque, Gingival and Calculus Indices were not significantly different in lactovegetarians and controls. Of the lactovegetarians 76.9% and of the controls none had dental erosions on some tooth surfaces. In lactovegetarians the rate of flow of stimulated saliva was lower than in controls but did not decrease with advancing age as it did in controls. Salivary pH was lower in lactovegetarians than in controls.