RESUMO
Gingival inflammation and caries prevalence were compared among heavy and light calculus formers. Calcium concentrations in the saliva were significantly high [P <0.01] in the heavy calculus-formers group. Among the high calculus formers, the prevalence of gingival inflammation was significantly low, while caries prevalence was significantly high [P <0.001]. High calcium concentrations were encountered with high gingival inflammation and low caries prevalence, while low calcium concentrations were encountered with low gingival inflammation and high caries prevalence. The finding that gingival inflammation is associated with low caries prevalence in intensive- calculus formers and vice versa agrees with the hypothesis that the two processes are of an antagonistic nature