[Chemical composition of the saliva in children and adolescents with black tartar].

The chemical composition of the saliva was assessed in children and adolescents with black tartar and children without these deposits. Group I (studied) included 60 children aged 4-16 years with black stain present on the teeth, group II (control) comprised 60 children in the same age range without black tartar. For the study stimulated mixed saliva was taken. In saliva samples determinations were done of sodium, potassium, chlorides, copper, zinc, iron, total calcium, inorganic phosphates, glucose and total protein. In the saliva of children with black tartar a significantly higher content was found of total calcium, inorganic phosphates, copper, sodium, total protein, and lower glucose content than in controls. The chemical composition of saliva in children and adolescents with black tartar is characteristic of subjects with low susceptibility to caries. Changes in the content of certain salivary components were noted in children with black stain at the time of permanent teeth eruption.