Abstract
Dental caries (DC) is a major oral health concern affecting a large population, primarily children. Children worldwide are affected by dental caries due to food habits or oral hygiene methods. It is seen that in healthy individuals, Candida species occur as normal commensal in the oral cavity. However, it becomes a potential opportunistic pathogen when associated with dental caries. Only a few studies have examined the variety of Candida species in children with dental caries. This study aims to evaluate the presence of Candida species in children with dental caries and correlate with total protein and salivary glucose present in those patients. 20 saliva samples were taken from children between 5 to 10 years of age. The sample was divided into two groups: Group 1 had Children with dental caries, and Group 2 had children without dental caries as control. The Biuret method wss used to determine the salivary total protein concentration, and a modified calorimetric anthrone-sulfuric acid-glucose reaction was used to quantify the salivary total glucose content. Sabouraud dextrose agar medium was used to isolate and develop Candida colonies. Children with caries had higher salivary glucose content, total protein concentration, and even the prevalence of Candida species compared to children without DC. These salivary components may be employed as indicators for oral health based on the findings of these investigations. It is possible to evaluate additional etiological variables, salivary components, and enzymes for future research.
Keywords: Candida infections, Dental caries, Glucose, Oral health, Saliva, Total protein