Diagnostic prediction of caries risk by saliva marker analysis
The present invention discloses a method for predicting caries risk in a subject and a kit based on said method, characterized in that said method comprises: (a) determining the concentration in saliva from said subject of at least one compound selected from each of salivary components (i) of the immune system, (ii) involved in microbial adhesion to a surface of the buccal cavity; and (iii) involved in metabolism in the buccal cavity or in regulating the pH thereof; (b) comparing a response variable calculated from more than one concentration determined in step (a) with a corresponding reference response variable in a population of subjects without caries or in a population of subjects with caries; and (c) determining caries risk based on the degree of difference in response variable compared in step (b), wherein a greater degree of difference between the response variable of the subject and the corresponding reference response variable in a population of subjects without caries or in a population of subjects with caries, is indicative of higher caries risk in said subject.