ESTIMATION OF THE CHLORIDE LEVEL OF SALIVA
JOHN T. ANDERS 1
1 Biochemistry Laboratory, Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children, Boston, Mass.
A method for measuring the chloride ion concentration of the saliva and a method for classification of subjects according to the DMF index have been presented. On the basis of a study of 251 cases, a significant difference was found to exist between the chloride level of the caries-free group and that of the group with most extensive and rapid carious breakdown. The possible implications of the presence of the chloride ion in the saliva have been discussed, and it is suggested that there may be a connection between the presence of the ion and the amylase activity of the saliva.
Submitted on April 11, 1955
