Relation of caries status on the salivary total antioxidant levels in asthmatic children

Contemp Clin Dent. 2012 Oct;3(4):402-5. doi: 10.4103/0976-237X.107426.

Abstract

Aim: To study the correlation between the caries status and the salivary antioxidant levels among asthmatic children.

Settings and design: One hundred children within the age group of 6 12 years were selected and equally subdivided into children having a history of asthma and their healthy siblings.

Materials and methods: Salivary antioxidant levels were assessed using spectrophotometric method, and the caries status was recorded using DMFT (Decayed, missing and Filled Teeth Index) and dft (decayed, filled teeth index) index.

Result: The salivary antioxidant levels were reduced among the asthmatic children which was statistically highly significant, whereas the caries prevalence was reduced, but not statistically significant.

Keywords: Antioxidants; asthma; dental caries.