Correlation between dental caries and salivary pH, mineral content, and salivary immunoglobulin levels in adult population of northern suburban region of Kolkata, India

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental caries in the adult population residing in West Bengal and measure the salivary pH, calcium, phosphorus, immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin A (IgG); and to determine a correlation between the caries experience and the variables measured. Materials and Methods: This was a correlative analytical study with a cross-sectional approach where a total of 100 patients who fit the inclusion criteria were included in the study. First, the number of caries teeth of each patient was recorded using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System II (ICDAS II) scoring system, and subsequently unstimulated saliva was collected. The saliva was measured for pH using a pH meter, calcium using the o-Cresolpthalein Complexone method, phosphorus using Molybdate UV method, and IgA and IgG using the immunoglobulin estimation kit. Chi-square test of proportions was employed to test the categorical variables. Parametric tests were carried out for inferential statistics. Pearson’s correlation test was used to correlate the number of carious teeth with that of the salivary pH, calcium levels, phosphorus levels, salivary IgA levels, and salivary IgG levels. Results: There was a strong negative correlation between the calcium levels and the number of carious teeth present, which was highly statistically significant. There was a very strong negative correlation between the salivary pH, phosphorus levels, salivary IgA levels, and the number of carious teeth, which was highly statistically significant. There was a moderately negative correlation between the IgG levels and the number of carious teeth present which was highly statistically significant. Conclusion: There is an inverse relation between the prevalence of dental caries in the adult population of the Northern Suburban area of Kolkata and salivary pH, calcium, phosphorus, IgA, and IgG.