Association between salivary endocannabinoid levels and caries experience in adults

This study aimed to investigate the association between unstimulated salivary endocannabinoid concentrations and caries experience in systemically healthy adults, while also evaluating key salivary parameters related to caries risk.

In this cross-sectional study, 74 adults aged 19 through 35 years were allocated into low caries risk (decayed, missing, and filled teeth [DMFT] ≤ 5) and high caries risk (DMFT ≥ 14) groups. Unstimulated salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and plaque formation rate index were assessed. Salivary concentrations of anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, palmitoylethanolamide, and oleoylethanolamide were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Intergroup comparisons and correlation analyses were performed using nonparametric statistical methods.

Participants with high caries experience exhibited significantly lower salivary flow rates and pH values, alongside higher plaque formation rate index scores, than the low caries risk group (P < .001). In contrast, no significant differences were observed between groups with respect to salivary anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, palmitoylethanolamide, or oleoylethanolamide concentrations (P > .05). DMFT scores were significantly correlated with salivary parameters but showed no association with salivary endocannabinoid levels.

Unstimulated salivary endocannabinoid concentrations were not directly associated with caries experience in adults. Accordingly, salivary endocannabinoids do not appear to constitute reliable biomarkers for caries susceptibility.

These findings indicate that conventional salivary parameters, such as flow rate, pH, and plaque accumulation, remain reliable and clinically relevant markers of caries susceptibility, whereas unstimulated salivary endocannabinoid levels do not provide additional diagnostic or prognostic value in the assessment of caries risk.