[Amount and pH of the saliva in children and adolescents with black tartar].

A comparative study was carried out of the volume of secreted saliva and its pH in children with black tartar and without it. Group I comprised 60 children with black tartar (aged 4-16 years) and group II (control) contained 60 children without black tartar in the same age range. Mixed stimulated saliva was obtained. Its volume was measured after 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes, calculating then the minute index of saliva flow. The pH of the saliva was determined using indicator papers (in vivo) or pH-meter (in vitro). No significant differences were found in the amounts of saliva secreted in group I and group II. The pH of the saliva was significantly higher in children with black tartar than in those without it.