Abstract :
Saliva plays a vital role in maintaining oral health and preserving tooth integrity. Its components help minimize tooth surface demineralization, protect against wear, and support enamel remineralization. There is a growing interest in utilizing salivary biomarkers for caries diagnosis and prediction. However, despite extensive research, a consensus among scholars has yet to be reached. This study aims to provide further evidence regarding the effectiveness of salivary biomarkers in diagnosing dental caries. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across PubMed, Elsevier’s Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science, and studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. The study selection process followed the PECOS framework, while the STROBE checklist was used to assess the risk of bias. A total of 18 studies were included in the analysis, all of which provided relevant data aligned with the study objectives. Findings revealed associations between salivary biomarkers and dental caries, with both positive and negative correlations. Due to significant heterogeneity among studies, a meta-analysis could not be conducted. Overall, salivary biomarkers play a crucial and complementary role in maintaining tooth integrity and may serve as reliable indicators for predicting or diagnosing dental caries.
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