Betul Kargul, Ph.D, Aysen Yarat Ph.D, and llknur Tanboga, Ph.D
Department of Pedodontics Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkiye
Department of Biochemistry. Faculty of Dentistry, Marmara University. Istanbul, Turkiye

Salivary Na, K, Ca, Wig, CI and P levels were determined in 57 healthy children who were divided into 3 groups according to dentition. The changes in the levels of these elements were studied with respect to sex, age and caries incidence. Salivary Na and K concentrations were measured by a flame photometer. Ca, Mg, CI and P were measured colorimetrically using Randox diagnostic kits. Significant increases were found between dentition groups for Mg and Na. None of the dentition groups showed significant differences in the levels of any of the parameters between the children with and without cartes. There was no significant differences between any of the parameters in any dentition groups with respect to sex. The salivary composition of all the inorganic elements measured rose linearly with age Except for Mg which decreased, other elements increased with total caries surface area.

Saudi Dental Journal 1998;10(3):100-106.