The effect of alpha-amylase enzyme activity in the oral cavity on the incidence of dental caries in early childhood

Background: Oral hygiene is assessed, among other things, by determining the accumulation of dental plaque. Plaque caused by bacteria erodes hard tooth tissue and causes caries.  Dental caries is highly prevalent in early childhood. The WHO notes that around 514 million children worldwide suffer from caries. The Basic Health Research results show that the incidence of caries in early childhood in Indonesia reached 93% in 2018. The lack of parental knowledge regarding oral hygiene in children aged 1–6 years in Indonesia is reflected in the high caries rate. A factor that still causes caries is the activity of the alpha-amylase enzyme. Alpha-amylase is the most abundant enzyme in the oral cavity, produced by the salivary glands, and functions to aid in the digestion of food by hydrolyzing starch into glucose and maltose. This enzyme regulates bacterial colonization and adds glucose for biofilm formation. On the other hand, proteins found in saliva have a protective and bactericidal mechanism against cariogenic bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of dental caries. 
Objective: To determine the effect of alpha-amylase enzyme activity in the oral cavity on the incidence of caries in early childhood. 
Methods: The method used in this paper is a literature review. Data sources were searched using Google Scholar and PubMed. The literature selected was based on previous research and thought, which was then extracted, analyzed, and synthesized. 
Results: Lower levels of alpha-amylase enzyme activity make individuals more susceptible to dental caries. In young children with caries, alpha-amylase enzyme activity is higher during caries growth. 
Conclusion: Salivary alpha-amylase activity alone cannot be used as a definitive indicator of caries risk in young children, as it must be interpreted alongside other contributing factors.