Estimation of salivary omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acid levels in children and its relationship to varying levels of dental caries
Abstract
Omega 3 and omega 6 are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) that must be obtained from dietary sources. Dental caries is an infectious disease with multi-factorial etiology and is the major reason for tooth loss in children & adolescents. The aim was to assess and compare the levels of salivary omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in children with varying levels of dental caries. A number of 205 children aged 7–14 years were selected and grouped based on the ICDAS-II classification system into Group I (Active caries), Group II (Arrested caries) and Group III (Controls). Saliva samples were collected and subjected to Gas Chromatography to quantify all the fatty acids. Group III had the highest mean omega-3 fatty acids value, followed by Group I and Group II. Group II had the highest mean omega-6 fatty acids value, followed by Group III. Group I had the least mean of Omega-6. The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids were observed in the control group, the lowest in the arrested caries group, and the omega-6 levels were the highest in the arrested caries group and the lowest in the active caries group.