The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether there are relationships between the salivary oxidative stress status of children with CHD directly dental caries including gender, age, salivary flow rate, salivary pH, salivary buffering capacity and drug intake such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. If such relationships exist, they might be employed to patient caries -prevention treatment.

Using heart failure medications may cause low salivary pH and buffering capacity.As improved oral health is a priority for cardiac patients, it is necessary that they attend dental clinics for regular follow up.

This cross sectional study was carried out with 42 CHD and 42 healthy children who applied to Istanbul University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics. Gender, age, general health and medications, and caries scores (dfs/DMFS) were recorded. Unstimulated saliva was collected from the participants and were assessed for the salivary secretion rate, salivary buffering capacity, pH, protein levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl, protein thiols, total sialic acid.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 3-12 years
• Caridac problems

Exclusion Criteria:

• other ages
• syndromes
• other systemic diseases