Salivary cortisol levels and dental anxiety in children with

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common developmental disorder. The present study tested the hypotheses that children with ADHD, particularly those exhibiting severe hyperactivity and impulsivity, have a different stress reaction (measured by salivary cortisol) during a dental recall visit and are more dentally anxious than children in a control group. Eighteen children with ADHD and a control group of 71 children, all 13 yr of age, underwent a clinical dental examination and completed the Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS). Four saliva samples were gathered for analysis of cortisol: one prior to dental examination, one after, and two the following morning. The subgroup ADHD with hyperactivity/impulsivity had statistically significantly lower cortisol levels than the control group 30 min after awakening. When cortisol values were plotted on a timeline, this subgroup always had lower cortisol concentrations than children in the control group. There was a significant correlation between CDAS scores and cortisol concentrations prior to the dental examination in both the ADHD and the control group. Behavioral expressions of anxiety in children with ADHD may be different from those in other children, not only due to the characteristics of their disorder, but also because of lower stress reactivity.

        

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To ascertain whether phosphate sensitivity may be the cause of your problem or your child’s problem, it is possible to carry out a very simple, low cost pH saliva test. The test involves measuring with universal litmus paper the relative acidity/alkalinity of your saliva. Use litmus paper in the range of pH 6.0 to 9.0. Litmus paper is available from chemists, drugstores, laboratory suppliers or pool shops.

The test should be carried out when you first wake in the morning and before you have eaten anything, taken any medication or used toothpaste. It involves simply wetting a strip of the sensitised paper with your saliva, observing a colour change and recording the result.

pH values range from 0, which is extremely acid, to 15, which is totally alkaline.

A value of 7 is neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline. The optimum pH level of a normal unaffected person is 6.8, i.e. it is very slightly acidic. The saliva of a person with ADHD will be distinctly alkaline; pH readings in the range 7.5 to 8.5 are common. If you or your child has alkaline saliva, the universal litmus paper will change colour.

IF:
(i) – you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or you are concerned after working through our diagnostic questionnaire that you or your child may be affected …. AND:

(ii) – the litmus paper test reveals that you or your child’s saliva has a pH value above 7.5 ……

IT IS HIGHLY PROBABLE THAT YOU OR YOUR CHILD CAN BENEFIT CONSIDERABLY FROM HAFER’S RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT NOTE: THIS TEST WILL NOT WORK IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD IS ON MEDICATION TO MANAGE ADD/ADHD.

Medications commonly prescribed for these conditions – Ritalin, Dexamphetamine – have the effect of making the saliva acidic. Hertha Hafer is not sure how long a person would have to be off medication before the effects of the medication would cease to be a factor.

Children and adults who have been on stimulant treatment for long periods frequently develop tooth decay – their acidic saliva attacks the enamel coating of teeth. This effect may be masked if your water supply is fluoridated.

Children with ADHD not on medication often have perfect teeth – their alkaline saliva protects them against tooth decay.

Note: The pH-scale grows exponentially. A pH of 8.0 is 10 times as alkaline as a pH of 7.0; 9.0 is 100 times as alkaline as pH 7.0 – any reading therefore above 7.5 may be a cause for concern.

Please contact us if you have conducted the pH test and found your child to be of 7.5 or above. We need to hear your stories so that other people can learn about the very real risk of phosphate-rich foods.

        

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