A descriptive assessment of oral hygiene and salivary parameters among identical and non- identical twins

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study was to evaluate saliva parameters of identical and non identical twins with their dental caries and oral hygiene status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the oral health status and investigate the salivary parameters of identical and non­identical twins in Kodhini Village, Kerala. The WHO Oral Health Assessment Form was used to record the oral health status. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and Gingival Bleeding Index were also included. Unstimulated saliva was collected. Immunoglobulin A levels in saliva was estimated by Turbidimetric Immunoassay. Salivary Cortisol was analysed using ELISA method. For TAC thiobarbituric acid reactive from Fenton's reaction. RESULTS: Since the absolute difference of the salivary parameters between the pairs of twins was not symmetrically distributed, we report median and interquartile range to describe these differences. There were no observed significant variations in the above salivary parameters. CONCLUSION: The similarity in their environmental factors as well as perhaps the similar genetic predisposition on salivary factors has led to the similarity in the dental caries experience in these twin children.