Caries-protective factors in saliva

Area of Science:

• Oral biology
• Dental research
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Saliva plays a crucial role in preventing dental caries.
• Key salivary components influencing caries include flow rate and fluoride content.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanisms by which saliva influences dental caries attack.
• To detail the roles of salivary flow rate and fluoride concentration in oral health.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on salivary function and caries.
• Analysis of factors affecting salivary clearance and fluoride levels.

Main Results:

• Salivary flow rate significantly impacts the clearance of bacterial substrates and fluoride.
• Basal salivary fluoride concentration is consistently low and unaffected by flow rate or diurnal variations.
• Fluoride clearance from the oral cavity is primarily governed by salivary flow rate and saliva volume.

Conclusions:

• Saliva's protective effects against caries are multifaceted, with flow rate and fluoride being paramount.
• Other factors like buffering capacity and mineral content contribute to saliva's caries resistance.