ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluated the correlation among unstimulated salivary pH, ICDAS-Lesion Activity Assessment (ICDAS-LAA), and the ORA test for caries risk assessment in early childhood caries (ECC) and caries-free children. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 children aged 3–6 years, divided equally into an ECC group and a caries-free group. Unstimulated salivary pH was measured using a calibrated digital pH meter. ICDAS-LAA scoring was performed under standardized clinical conditions, and the ORA test assessed microbial acidogenic activity based on methylene blue reduction time. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney, independent t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Children with ECC exhibited a clear pattern of disease activity, with significantly higher ICDAS–LAA scores, lower unstimulated salivary pH and shorter ORA reduction times compared with caries-free children. These findings reflect the coexistence of active lesions, an acidic oral environment, and heightened microbial metabolism in ECC. Moreover, ICDAS–LAA scores showed significant negative correlations with both salivary pH and ORA test times, indicating that these chairside measures together can help in early identification of children at higher risk for caries. Conclusion: Children with ECC exhibit higher lesion activity, lower salivary pH, and faster ORA reduction times, indicating increased caries risk. The combined use of ICDAS-LAA, salivary pH measurement, and ORA test provides a simple and effective chairside method for early caries risk assessment.
Hringngen et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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