Diagnostic potential of saliva as a biomarker in early childhood caries: A review

Abstract

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a severe and early form of the carious disease that can compromise child’s oral and systemic health. Despite significant efforts to integrate children’s oral health into primary care, identification of children at risk for ECC before the onset of cavitation remains challenging. As teeth are bathed in saliva constantly, the constituents and properties of this oral fluid play an essential role in the occurrence and progression of oral diseases including dental caries. Thus, it can be a promising tool in early identification and thereby preventing the further progression of caries in children. Hence, the aim of this review is to throw light on the current knowledge and utilisation of salivary biomarkers in terms of its predictive potential for ECC. A literature search was done using electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Database for articles in English. Several keywords were used: Early childhood caries, salivary biomarkers, saliva, child. Some of the promising biomarkers include the microbiological species, electrolytes in saliva, antibodies, inflammatory mediators, glucosyltransferase and physical characteristics of saliva. Utilisation of these biomarkers in clinical practice might help the clinicians in improving the oral health status of the child.