Mucin Content, Physical Properties of Saliva and Caries Activity

Abstract

Measurement of the several physical properties and the mucin content of saliva of 140 individuals 4-35 years of age were compared with their caries activity as estimated by a method which combined clinical examinations and laboratory tests. No relationship was demonstrated between caries activity and either the mucin content of resting saliva as measured by tyrosine content and Congo red in acid alcohol titer or the physical characteristics of saliva as demonstrated by the values for viscosity, spinnbarkeit, and tack.