Association of Salivary Lipids and Early Childhood Caries in an Indian Subpopulation: A Preliminary Study.

Aim: This preliminary study aimed to estimate and correlate the relationship between salivary flow rate and levels of salivary triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids in children with and without early childhood caries. Study design: Ninety children aged 3 - 6 years were divided into three groups of 30 each based on their decayed missing filled tooth (dmft) score, group I (dmft score = 0), group II (dmft score ≥4 and ≤ 9) and group III (dmft scores ≥ 10). Whole unstimulated saliva was collected in a sterile graduated cup over a period of 5 minutes and was quantitatively analyzed for levels of salivary triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis by one way ANOVA, Post-Hoc tukey and Pearson's correlation test. Results: Salivary flow rate was 1.20±0.36, 1.01±0.37 and 0.86±0.31 ml/min in group I, II and III respectively. The mean levels of salivary triglycerides in group I, II and III was 3.57±0.43mg/ml, 6.11±1.70mg/ml and 6.03±1.73 mg/ml, respectively. The mean levels of salivary total lipids were higher in group II and III, ie 22.51±2.87 mg/ml and 22.68±2.54 mg/ml respectively. The mean level of salivary cholesterol was highest in group III (8.03±2.91 mg/ml). Salivary triglycerides and total lipids showed a significant positive correlation with dmft scores of children (p≤ 0.001). Salivary cholesterol also had a positive association with dental caries experience of children but was not significant. There was a negative correlation between salivary flow rate and levels of salivary triglycerides, cholesterol and total lipids. Conclusion: Children with ECC (group II and III) had lower salivary flow rate and higher levels of salivary triglycerides and total lipids compared to caries free children (group I). Levels of salivary cholesterol did not differ between caries free and children with ECC.