In total stimulated saliva collected from donors with different cariosity, defined by the cariosity index, the authors assessed, based on the ability of the saliva to inhibit lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant activity. The value in saliva of donors with a low cariosity did not differ from that saliva of donors with greater cariosity. Between the compared groups with different cariosity no difference was found in the amount of salivary uric acid which is considered an important antioxidant of the oral cavity.

        Key words: dental caries – cariosity index – reactive forms of oxygen – lipid peroxidation – antioxidant activity – saliva – uric acid