Abstract

*Dr. Sumit Sabharwal, Dr. Shradha Sethi and Dr. Deepesh Prajapati

ABSTRACT

Dental caries is a widely observed chronic disease in humans, and anyone can be at risk of dental caries throughout their lifetime. Importantly, dental caries is the most common disease associated with oral health in school-aged children. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the one of the most common congenital anomalies in children; approximately 8-10 of the 1000 children around the world are born with CHD. The salivary buffering capacity neutralizes acids in plague, dilute acids, transport the acid from the oral cavity, thus preventing a harmful pH change, and helps remineralization process by providing some minerals. This study is designed to evaluate the differences in frequency of dental caries, and association with salivary flow rate and salivary pH in children with CHD in comparison with that of normal children. The present study utilized dmft index (Henry T.Klein, Carrole E. Palmar and Knutson J.W in 1938) method for evaluation of dental caries and unstimulated method for salivary flow rate and quick chair side test for salivary pH. An oral examination was done for dental caries with patient seated on dental chair under bright light using a mouth mirror and WHO probe. Teeth should be examined by visual means and only the small lesions should be checked by using WHO probe. Saliva was collected in a plastic measuring tube by draining method (make the patient sit on a dental chair facing forward and downward and saliva was allowed to drip off the lower lip into a measuring tube fitted with funnel and the subject expectorates into the measuring tube at the end of collection period) for 3 minute and was assessed for flow rate per minute and values were collected. Salivary pH was measured by using portable pH meter and values were collected. Quick chair side test was used for salivary pH. The mean ± SD values of salivary pH in category of CHD patients was 6.504± 0.053 in children of CHD category, while the mean ± SD values of salivary pH in children of control category was 6.518 ± 0.040. The Mean ± SD values of salivary pH in children with CHD was lower than that of controls. The difference was significant statistically. (p? 0.05). The mean ± SD values of salivary flow rate in children of CHD category was 0.330 ± 0.014 ml/min, while the mean ± SD values of salivary flow rate in children of control category was 0.734 ± 0.015 ml/min. The mean ± SD values of salivary flow rate were lower in children in CHD category than control category. The findings were significant statistically. (p? 0.05). Salivary flow rate, pH were significantly diminished in children with congenital heart disease, and they had worse dental status compared to controls. Therefore, continuous monitoring of oral hygiene status is imperative in this group of patients.