To evaluate clinical oral and salivary parameters of individuals with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Clinical parameters and whole saliva were collected from children aged 6 to 12 years with JIA (n = 36) and from a healthy, matched control group (n = 36). The clinical and salivary parameters evaluated were the dental caries (decayed, missing, or filled teeth), gingival and simplified oral hygiene indices, salivary flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, total protein, and secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations.
JIA individuals presented poorer oral hygiene (P ≤ .05) but no difference in the dental caries and gingival indices. JIA patients presented an increase in total protein concentration (86%) and buffer capacity in the range of pH 6.9 to 6.0 (10%) and a reduction in initial pH (6%), buffer capacity in the range of pH ≥ 7.0 (50%), and immunoglobulin A concentration (27%) (P ≤ .05).
JIA is associated with poor oral hygiene and salivary changes, including reductions in immune factors and an altered profile of salivary buffer capacity.