Human parotid proline-rich proteins: correlation of genetic polymorphisms to dental caries.

Parotid saliva contains a variety of proline-rich proteins. This study found that, among 306 children between the ages of 5 to 15 years, there is a significant increase in the decayed-missing-filled tooth surface (DMFS) score of the permanent teeth with age in children with the specific proline-rich protein phenotypes Pa and Pr. However, the increase in DMFS score of the permanent teeth of children was significantly greater in children with Pa+ and Pr22 than in those with the other phenotypes (Pa- or Pr11 and Pr12). The previously established close correlation between the Pa and Pr phenotypes and the genetic variants of salivary peroxidase (a powerful antibacterial system in the oral cavity) may provide an explanation for the relationship of certain proline-rich protein phenotypes to dental caries.