Sains Malaysiana 42(1)(2013): 59–63

Saliva and Dental Caries in Down Syndrome Children

(Air Liur dan Karies Pergigian dalam Kalangan Kanak-kanak Sindrom Down)

A.R. Normastura*, Z. Norhayani & Y. Azizah

School of Dental Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia

16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

M.D. Mohd Khairi

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus

Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia

Received: 30 November 2011/Accepted: 24 May 2012

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to determine the association between dental caries and salivary characteristics (flow rate and pH) in the children with Down syndrome. A cross sectional study was conducted on 53 Down syndrome children at selected Down syndrome centres in Kelantan. Sociodemographic data was obtained, resting flow rate and pH were measured using Saliva-Check BUFFER® by GC co., Japan and clinical oral examination was done. Caries experience was calculated based on the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) for permanent dentition and decayed and filled (dft) for deciduous dentition. The mean age of the children was 11.7 (SD 5.51) years and 98.1% of them were Malays. The prevalence of dental caries for deciduous and permanent dentition was 57% (95% CI: 43%-70%) and 74% (95% CI: 61%-86%), respectively. The mean dft was 4.2 (SD 5.66) and DMFT was 4.7 (SD 4.97). The mean resting flow rate was 0.19 (SD 0.10) mL/min while mean pH was 6.2 (SD 0.45). There were no significant differences in the saliva resting flow rate and pH between the low and high carious group in both the deciduous and permanent dentitions (p>0.05). Caries prevalence was low in the deciduous but higher in permanent dentition in children with Down syndrome. Saliva resting flow rate and pH did not influence the caries experience.

Keywords: Caries; saliva flow rate; salivary pH; Trisomy 21

ABSTRAK

Objektif kajian ini adalah untuk menentukan kaitan antara karies pergigian dengan ciri-ciri air liur (kadar aliran dan pH) dalam kalangan kanak-kanak Sindrom Down. Kajian hirisan lintang ini telah dilakukan ke atas 53 kanak-kanak Sindrom Down di beberapa pusat Sindrom Down di Kelantan. Data sosio demografi, kadar aliran air liur dan pH waktu rehat dan pemeriksaan pergigian dilakukan. Kadar pengalaman karies diukur berdasarkan indek karies, kehilangan gigi dan tampalan (DMFT) untuk gigi kekal dan karies dan tampalan (dft) untuk gigi susu. Purata umur kanak-kanak terlibat ialah 11.7 (SD 5.51) dan 98.1% daripada mereka adalah Melayu. Prevalen karies gigi untuk gigi susu dan kekal ialah 57% (95% CI: 43%-70%) dan 74% (95% CI: 61%-86%). Purata dft ialah 4.2 (SD 5.66) dan DMFT ialah 4.7 (SD 4.97). Purata kadar air liur ialah 0.19 (SD 0.10) mL/min manakala pH ialah 6.2 (SD 0.45). Tiada perbezaan yang signifikan dalam kadar aliran air liur waktu rehat dan pH dalam kedua-dua kumpulan berkaries rendah dan tinggi (p>0.05) pada gigi susu dan kekal. Prevalen karies gigi susu adalah lebih rendah berbanding dengan gigi kekal. Kadar aliran air liur dan pH tidak menentukan pengalaman karies.

Kata kunci: Kadar aliran air liur; karies pergigian; pH air liur; Trisomi 21

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*Corresponding author; email: normastura@kck.usm.my