Nitric Oxide Concentrations in Saliva and Dental Plaque in Relation to Caries Experience and Oral Hygiene

The aim of the study was to determine the correlation of the antibacterial substance nitric oxide (NO) with dental caries in vivo. Salivary and dental plaque NO concentrations were analyzed by the Griess method in 11 subjects with high DMFT index and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), 11 with low DMFT and OHI-S. Subjects with high DMFT and OHI-S had significantly higher NO concentrations in saliva (71.5 microM) and plaque (83.5 microM) than those with low DMFT and OHI-S (33.2 and 61.1 microM in saliva and plaque, respectively). Plaque NO concentrations were significantly higher than in saliva in both groups. NO production might be a host defense mechanism when dental caries increases or oral hygiene deteriorates.