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Correlation in inorganic ion concentration between saliva and plaque fluid.

The composition and the concentration of inorganic ions in dental plaque significantly influence the initiation and the development of dental caries through altering the degree of saturation of the aqueous phase surrounding the dental enamel. In order to know how plaque is affected by saliva, the composition and the concentration of inorganic ions in saliva and plaque fluid were investigated. The ionic concentrations of sodium and chlorine had similar values between plaque fluid and saliva. However, the concentrations of the inorganic ions such as ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphate were significantly different between plaque fluid and saliva. This meant that the saliva and plaque fluid were different in its inorganic composition presumably reflected by the metabolic activity of bacteria in the plaque. On the other hand, as for the correlation coefficients between plaque fluid and saliva composition, statistically significant correlation was observed in ions such as sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and chlorine but not in calcium, phosphate, or in pH values. This was possibly due to the fact that saliva was the main source of supply of these ions. However as for calcium and phosphate, no close correlation was found possibly because they could be supplied also through tooth enamel dissolution. The discrepancy of the results with former studies on this point was speculatively explained by,the difference of the plaque age used. It was considered reasonable that the pH value was independent, as it is mainly decided by the activity of the bacteria in the plaque.