14) Search UnB cariogenic relates to the production of saliva

One of the factors directly associated with the increase of cariogenic is the low flow of saliva. This relationship has been proven in a study at the University of Brasilia (UnB) by Soraya Leal, teacher of the Department of Dentistry (ODT) of the institution.

"The world scientific literature is inconclusive about the relationship of saliva with the cariogenic," said Soraya the agency FAPESP. "By this account, we show that relationship in practice, by means of laboratory tests on 60 children," he says.

Of the 35 children who had no teeth damaged, all had salivary flow between normal and high. However, the other 25 that had damaged teeth had little saliva. The researchers have yet to review systematically through databases on the Internet, with articles on the subject published in international scientific journals. "Based on 70 scientific work we find that the probability of the individual submitting cárie is much greater when the production of saliva is less than 1 milliliter per minute," said Soraya.

The study of UnB also found the relationship between teeth damaged with the pH of saliva. In children who had salivary pH neutral, between 6 and 7, the problem has not been identified. Meanwhile, the cariogenic were more frequent in children who had a saliva more acidic, with pH less than 5.

Soraya explains that to maintain the steady flow of saliva in the mouth and prevent the Streptococcus mutans, the cariogenic bacteria, the individual needs ingest enough water. Another option is the intake of solid foods. As mastigá them requires a greater effort of the salivary glands, the production of saliva has increased.

There are foods, however, that make the Streptococcus mutans prolifere much faster. And as most people already know, sugar is the great villain of cariogenic, "warns the researcher.

According to her, as a natural component of the mouth, the saliva is the first defender against the teeth damaged because of its antimicrobial properties. "If the salivary flow falls, the pH also decreases. And the pH of saliva is responsible for the control of the minerals of the tooth. "

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