Work

Influence of Parotid Saliva Composition on Phosphate Species' Chemical State in Relation to Dental Caries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of parotid saliva (PS) composition on the phosphate species' chemical state in relation to dental caries. Methods Unilateral stimulated PS samples were collected from 21 healthy adult subjects using a Lashley cup. Clinical caries scores of each subject were classified using the ICDAS score. The pH was recorded for each saliva sample. The concentration of specific inorganic elements (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Al3+, Sr2+, Li+, Zn2+, and Mg2+) was measured using an Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP‐OES). The PS effective concentration of ions and the degree of saturation (DS) with respect to enamel mineral were determined by speciation calculation. The PS chemical environment was determined using 31P‐Nuclear‐Magnetic‐Resonance‐Spectroscopy (31P‐NMR). Pearson's correlation test was applied to evaluate the influence of PS composition on the ICDAS score. Results The pH varied from 5.9 to 7.6. The ICDAS scores varied from 0.03 to 2.48. PS was supersaturated with respect to HAp at all pH values. The 31P‐NMR peak position value reflects the phosphate chemical state within PS and its change in relation to pH. Only calcium ion concentration [Ca2+], aluminum activity {Al3+}, and DSHAp significantly correlated with the 31P‐NMR peak position value (ppm), whereas no correlation was observed between the 31P‐NMR peak position value and the activities of K+, Na+, Sr2+, Mg2+, Li+, and Zn2+. Conclusions This parotid saliva 31P‐NMR study has shown that calcium ion concentration [Ca2+], aluminum activity {Al3+}, and DSHAp significantly influence the phosphate species' chemical state existing within PS and provides extended knowledge on the main biochemical determinants of the caries process.

Source: Clinical and Experimental Dental Research

DOI: 10.1002/cre2.70089

Authors: Angela Rovera, Ali S. Alzahrani, Guido Rovera, Paul Anderson

Institutions: Queen Mary University of London, Taif University, University of Turin

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,440