Evaluación del pH y flujo salival como indicadores clínicos de severidad en pacientes con enfermedad periodontal.

Abstract

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory condition, whose progression has been associated with alterations in salivary parameters such as pH and salivary flow. However, local evidence regarding this relationship remains limited. Objective: The objective of the present study is to analyze the relationship between salivary pH, salivary flow, and periodontal disease severity. Materials and methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted in 50 patients diagnosed with gingivitis or periodontitis. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected to measure salivary flow (mL/min) and salivary pH using reactive strips and a digital pH meter. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation, and the Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05). Results: Periodontitis was observed in 76% of patients, with a predominance of stages III and IV. A weak negative correlation was found between salivary pH and periodontal severity (ρ = −0.275; p = 0.053), showing a clinical trend toward lower pH values in advanced stages. Salivary flow showed a weak and non- significant negative correlation with disease severity (ρ = −0.166; p = 0.248). Conclusion: Salivary pH demonstrated a clinically relevant trend associated with periodontal severity, supporting its potential role as a complementary diagnostic indicator.