Variation in Salivary pH and Dental Caries in Children with and without Cleft Lip and Palate Before and After Toothbrushing

Romero-Velarde M.R.; Cruz-Gonzales G.E.; Aliaga-Mariñas A.S.; Chiong-Lam L.P.; Flores-Quinteros S.T.; Morales-Vadillo R. · Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clinica Integrada (2026) · DOI: 10.1590/pboci.2026.080

Resumen

Objective: To assess the relationship between salivary pH variation — measured before and after toothbrushing — and the presence of dental caries in children aged 0–12 years with and without cleft lip and palate (CL/P) in Lima, Peru. Material and Methods: This analytical and longitudinal study included 104 children, of whom 65 had CL/P and 39 did not. Salivary pH was measured using MQuant® pH-indicator strips, before and after oral hygiene with a fluoridated toothbrush and toothpaste Dentito®. Additionally, the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Permanent (DMFT) Teeth/decayed, extracted, and filled primary teeth index (dmft) was determined through an odontogram. Results: Significant differences in pre-and post-brushing salivary pH were observed in both groups (p < 0.001), with greater variation among children with CL/P. However, no significant relationship was found between salivary pH variation and the presence of dental caries in either the CL/P group (p=0.718) or the non-CL/P group (p=0.726). Conclusion: Children with cleft lip and palate exhibited a significantly greater variation in salivary pH before and after toothbrushing compared with children without cleft lip and palate; this variation was not found to be associated with the presence of dental caries.

Instituciones: Universidad de San Martín de Porres; Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal