Evaluation of salivary mucins in children with deciduous and mixed dentition: comparative analysis between high and low caries-risk groups

Objectives The aim of this study was to examine levels of salivary mucins in children with deciduous and mixed dentition and to determine correlations between salivary mucins and dental caries status in two dentition stages. Materials and methods Saliva samples were collected from preschool children with deciduous dentition aged between 4 and 6 years (n = 60) and school children with mixed dentition aged between 9 and 11 years (n = 60). In each age group, the subjects were divided into two categories: high and low caries risk (n = 30 each). Salivary mucins (MUC5B and MUC7) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results There were no significant differences in MUC5B and MUC7 levels between high and low caries-risk groups in preschool children. Significantly increased MUC5B (p = 0.01) and decreased MUC7 (p = 0.04) levels in a low caries-risk group were demonstrated in school children. No significant correlations were observed between salivary mucins and dental caries in preschool children, whereas a significantly negative correlation (r = −0.29, p = 0.03) between MUC5B and the number of decayed teeth was observed in school children. Conclusion Patterns of salivary mucin expression in relation to dental caries were different between preschool and school children. The present findings suggest that changes in oral environment from deciduous to mixed dentition may affect the secretion of salivary mucins in response to dental caries. Clinical relevance The present study provides additional information that changes in oral environment from deciduous to mixed dentition stage possibly affect the secretion of salivary mucins in response to dental caries