Assessment of Black Stains on Teeth in Relation to Salivary Parameters, Periodontal Health, and Body Mass Index in Children

Summary

Objective The aim of this study is to compare salivary flow rate, salivary pH, salivary buffering capacity, plaque index, gingival index, DMFT/dft indices, and body mass index (BMI) in systemically healthy children aged 5-10 years with and without black stains (BS) in the oral cavity. By evaluating the differences between these two groups, we seek to better understand the effects of black stains on oral health and assess the relationship between BMI and these parameters. The findings may contribute to improved oral health management, preventive dentistry practices, and a deeper understanding of the association between obesity and oral health in children.

Methods This study will consist of two groups of systemically healthy children: those with black stains (BS group, n=50) and those without (non-BS group, n=50). Both groups will be examined to determine the d (decayed), f (filled), and t (missing) values for primary teeth (dft index) and D (decayed), M (missing), and F (filled) values for permanent teeth (DMFT index).

We will assess plaque index and gingival index using Silness-Löe (1963, 1967) criteria. Saliva samples will be collected under standardized conditions (at least 2 hours post-breakfast, between 9-11 AM, after rinsing with water) in an isolated dental unit with patients seated upright.

Salivary pH will be measured using pH strips (GC Saliva-Check BUFFER) from unstimulated saliva. We will categorize pH levels as: highly acidic (5.0-5.8, red), moderately acidic (6.0-6.6, yellow), or healthy (6.8-7.8, green).

For salivary flow rate measurement, stimulated saliva will be collected after paraffin chewing (5 minutes) and measured in mL/min.

Salivary buffering capacity will be evaluated using GC Saliva-Check BUFFER test pads and scored as: very low (0-5), low (6-9), or normal/high (10-12).

We will calculate Body Mass Index (BMI) as kg/m² and interpret results using age- and sex-specific percentiles.

Statistical analysis will compare all parameters between the two groups.

Conditions

• Black Stains

Interventions

OTHER

Study Group:Black stain-positive

In children with black stains (BS+), we evaluated DMFT, dft, plaque index (Silness-Löe), gingival index (Löe-Silness), salivary pH, salivary flow rate, salivary buffering capacity, and body mass index (BMI).

OTHER

Control Group: Black stain-negative

In healthy children without black stains (BS-), we assessed DMFT, dft, plaque index (Silness-Löe), gingival index (Löe-Silness), salivary pH, salivary flow rate, salivary buffering capacity, and body mass index (BMI).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Akdeniz University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• İrem Kapıcı, Research Assistant · Akdeniz University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

5 Years

Max Age

10 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-14

Primary Completion

2025-06-05

Completion

2025-07-31

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations