GLUCOSE RETENTION ON THE SURFACES OF PRIMARY TEETH IN 3-YR-OLD AND 4-YR-OLD CHILDREN

Glucose retention was determined in 38 kindergarten children aged 3-4 yr. The children rinsed their mouths with 10 ml of a 0.5 mol/l glucose solution for 15 s and then spat out. Three minutes after they put the solution in their mouths, a small paper-point was used to collect sam ples of saliva from the labial and buccal surfaces of the maxillary an d mandibular primary teeth. The concentration of glucose in the small amount of saliva collected was measured with an immobilized enzyme sys tem. Glucose retention was highest on the maxillary central primary in cisor, second highest on the maxillary first primary molar and third h ighest on the maxillary lateral primary incisor. An intermediate value was seen on the maxillary and mandibular second primary molars, the m andibular first primary molar and the maxillary primary canine. A lowe r value was observed on the mandibular primary canine and the lowest o n the mandibular incisors. It was concluded that there were site diffe rences in glucose retention on primary teeth of 3- and 4-yr-old childr en.