effect of salivation status and denture wearing on oral candidal activity of the patient

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to see the effect of salivation status on the oral candidal activity and also to see the effect of denture wearing/ non-wearing on the salivation status of the patient. In the methodology a cross sectional, comparative study during March-September 2007 was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry Peshawar and Zoology Department, University of Peshawar [Pakistan]. Using a structured proforma, data were collected from 100 subjects [50 Denture wearers and 50 non denture wearers]. Stimulated salivary samples were collected and measured after vortex for 5 minutes from each subject. One ml of standard dilution saliva was mixed with 4ml sterile liquid Candida -selective medium. The extent of Candida activity was then determined, biochemically, through change in pH of the medium 24hrs after inoculation and incubation at 37 C. The results showed that 65% patients had normal salivation rate, as compared to 35% belonging to the hyposalivatory group. Among the denture wearers 52.3% were having normal salivation status and 45.7% having hyposalivation status. While among non-denture wearers 47.7% participants were having normal and 54.3% with hyposalivation status. Mean pH change in the normal salivation group was 1.2 +/- 1.0 as compared to 1.5 +/- 1.0 in the hyposalivation group. Association between the variable salivation level and candidal activities [average change in pH of the medium] was insignificant with p-value 0.73. Also association found between the case type [denture I non denture wearers] and salivation status of the patients was insignificant, having p-value 0.52. It was concluded that within the limitations of this study, the salivation status of the patients had an insignificant association with the oral candidal activity