[Saliva, caries and diagnostics]

Abstract

During the last decades the proportion of children without tooth decay and dental restorations has strongly increased. Yet, some patients show rampant caries or a sudden progression of decay into the dentin. In order to intervene adequately in such cases, it is of importance to determine first of all the underlying causes. Indicators have been developed to predict the progression of caries. By determining the amount of fluoride in the dental plaque one gets insight into the fluoride regime of the patient. One may also determine numbers of caries-pathogenic bacteria in saliva samples, as can now be done with commercially available kits for S. mutans and lactobacilli. The buffering capacity of saliva can also be determined. Although none of these tests have a high predictive value, they are useful in explaining sudden changes in caries activity and to formulate preventive schemes.