Kelarutan Kalsium Email pada Saliva Penderita Tuna Netra (Dissolution of Enamel Calcium in Saliva of Patients with Visual Impairment)

Abstract

Patients with visual impairment experienced debris, calculus and a high index of oral hygiene. Low salivary flow and difficulty in cleaning the oral cavity in patients with visual impairment caused high accumulation of plaque that causes a decrease in the pH of saliva. Low pH of saliva affects the balance of the composition of inorganic email. Calcium is the largest inorganic content of the email, thus dissolving calcium email can be an indication of enamel demineralization. This study aimed to determine the solubility of calcium in saliva of blind patients, and salivary pH relationship with the solubility of calcium. This experimental laboratory study used saliva taken from 8 blind patients and artificial saliva as a medium of enamel pieces soaking for 24 hours. Dissolved calcium levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that the solubility of calcium in the saliva of blind patients greater than the control group (p<0.05). Pearson correlation test demonstrate the relationship between salivary pH and solubility of calcium enamel, so the lowerthe pH the greater enamel calcium dissolution. It was concluded that the magnitude of the solubility of calcium enamel due to decreased of salivary pH.