Investigating Correlation Between the Number of Missed Teeth, as an Oral Health Index, and the Total Antioxidant Capacity of Unstimulated Whole Saliva

Oral health problems comprise a significant negative influence on the quality of life among the affected individuals. Recent concerns about the correlation between poor oral hygiene and subsequent tooth loss, and the risk of oral cancer incidence have introduced a new field of study with regards to the community health. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between total antioxidant capacity of unstimulated whole saliva and the number of missing teeth. Ninety patients of Shahid-Sadoughi dental clinic, with the age rane of 30 to 49 years, volunteered to participate into this study. Their missed teeth were counted and samples of unstimulated whole saliva were obtained from all cases. The scores of total antioxidant capacity of saliva samples and missing teeth were statistically analyzed. According to ANOVA test, the tow measured indexes showed a negative and statistically meaningful correlation to each other (r=0.337, P=0.001) Tooth loss can lead to reduced total antioxidant capacity of saliva that may subsequently result in increased risk of some diseases, such as oral cancer.