EVALUATION SALIVARY LEVELS OF LACTOPEROXIDASE AND LACTOFERRIN IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN WITH DENTAL CARIES

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the saliva levels of lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin between children who do not suffer from tooth decay and those who have early childhood caries. Eighty healthy children of kindergarten age (aged between 4-5 years) were enrolled in this study, according to the World Health Organization, in the city of Baghdad. An oral examination was performed and 40 kindergarten children were suffering from severe caries, which was detected. According to Wyne classification, it was considered a (study group), while 40 caries-free kindergarten children were considered a (control group) that matched by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Salivary lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin levels were assessed using an ELISA device. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the levels of salivary lactoperoxidase and salivary lactoferrin increased significantly in the study group (those with caries) compared to the caries-free group (control group). The research found that lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin can be used as markers to predict the risk of tooth decay in children's saliva.