Salivary Buffering Capacity and Oral Hygiene Index as Indicators of Dental Caries Risk in Adolescents

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease in which local protective factors play an important role, particularly saliva, its buffering capacity, and oral hygiene status.

To evaluate the relationship between the Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), salivary buffering capacity, and the prevalence of dental caries among adolescents.

The study included 211 students aged 16 years from secondary schools in Skopje. Standard methods were used to measure the DMF index, OHI, and salivary buffering capacity using the DENOBUFF test.

The mean values of DMF, OHI, salivary pH, and salivary buffering capacity suggest the importance of these parameters in dental caries prevention and risk assessment.

Salivary buffering capacity and oral hygiene are important indicators of dental caries risk and should be included in preventive programs.