Saliva flow rate, buffer capacity, and pH of autistic individuals
- 2 July 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Clinical Oral Investigations
- Vol. 13 (1), 23-27
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-008-0209-5
Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate saliva flow rate, buffer capacity, pH levels, and dental caries experience (DCE) in autistic individuals, comparing the results with a control group (CG). The study was performed on 25 noninstitutionalized autistic boys, divided in two groups. G1 composed of ten children, ages 3–8. G2 composed of 15 adolescents ages 9–13. The CG was composed of 25 healthy boys, randomly selected and also divided in two groups: CG3 composed of 14 children ages 4–8, and CG4 composed of 11 adolescents ages 9–14. Whole saliva was collected under slight suction, and pH and buffer capacity were determined using a digital pHmeter. Buffer capacity was measured by titration using 0.01 N HCl, and the flow rate expressed in ml/min, and the DCE was expressed by decayed, missing, and filled teeth (permanent dentition [DMFT] and primary dentition [dmft]). Data were plotted and submitted to nonparametric (Kruskal–Wallis) and parametric (Student’s t test) statistical tests with a significance level less than 0.05. When comparing G1 and CG3, groups did not differ in flow rate, pH levels, buffer capacity, or DMFT. Groups G2 and CG4 differ significantly in pH (p = 0.007) and pHi = 7.0 (p = 0.001), with lower scores for G2. In autistic individuals aged 3–8 and 9–13, medicated or not, there was no significant statistical difference in flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity. The comparison of DCE among autistic children and CG children with deciduous (dmft) and mixed/permanent decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) did not show statistical difference (p = 0.743). Data suggest that autistic individuals have neither a higher flow rate nor a better buffer capacity. Similar DCE was observed in both groups studied.Keywords
This publication has 33 references indexed in Scilit:
- Slower cortisol response during ACTH stimulation test in autistic childrenEuropean Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2007
- Salivary constituents and acidogenic microbial counts in coronary artery bypass graft patients from baseline to three-years after operationClinical Oral Investigations, 2007
- Buffer capacity, pH, and flow rate in saliva of children aged 2–60 months with Down syndromeClinical Oral Investigations, 2004
- Understanding autism: insights from mind and brainPhilosophical Transactions Of The Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 2003
- Differentiation between Autism and Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder in Response to Psychosocial StressNeuropsychopharmacology, 2002
- Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorderJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1993
- Oral health of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitusEuropean Journal of Oral Sciences, 1986
- Dental management of the autistic childSpecial Care in Dentistry, 1985
- Clinical ScienceJournal of Dental Research, 1983
- Saliva tests in the prognosis of caries in childrenActa Odontologica Scandinavica, 1977