###### Abstract  
Plaque-induced gingivitis (PIG) is one of the most widely distributed oral disorders in children. We aimed to identify the diagnostic value of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1\(\beta\) (IL-1\(\beta\)), and c-reactive protein (CRP) in the unstimulated whole saliva of children with different degrees of PIG. The study included 45 healthy children (aged between 4-14 years). The participants were divided into four groups according to their Silness-Loe plaque index and Loe-Silness gingival index. ELISA methods for the quantification of salivary IL-6, IL-1\(\beta\), and CRP were used. The highest levels of IL-6, IL-1\(\beta\), and CRP were recorded in the group with severe gingivitis--14.96 pg/mL, 28.94 pg/mL, and 490.0 pg/mL, respectively--significantly exceeding those in the control group (9.506 pg/mL, 16.93 pg/mL and 254.4 pg/mL, respectively). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, salivary IL-1\(\beta\) and CRP showed good diagnostic accuracy (0.8 \(\leq\) AUC \(<\) 0.9) and IL-6 showed fair diagnostic accuracy (0.7 \(\leq\) AUC \(<\) 0.8) with statistical significance to distinguish between children with a moderate degree of PIG and those with a severe degree of PIG. Sensitivity for IL-6, CRP, and IL-1\(\beta\) was 87.5% (\(p<\) 0.05), 87.5% (\(p<\) 0.01), and 75% (\(p<\) 0.01), respectively, and specificity was 63.16% (\(p<\) 0.05), 78.95% (\(p<\) 0.01), 83.33% (\(p<\) 0.01), respectively. Based on our results, we suggest salivary IL-1\(\beta\) and CRP as potential diagnostic tools that can be used to differentiate between moderate and severe PIG. plaque-induced gingivitis; salivary biomarkers; IL-6; IL-1\(\beta\) and CRP; children 2023135046. 2023135046.  
monocytes, and macrophages from the peripheral blood to gingival crevicular fluid. Gingival crevicular fluid is in constant and intensive interaction with saliva [12]. In parallel, adaptive immunity is mobilized through the activated influx of T and B into the inflammatory site. These cells trigger a specific inflammatory response with the local production of a significant amount of pro-inflammatory factors, namely interleukin 1\(\beta\) (IL-1\(\beta\)) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) [13,14]. The levels of these cytokines reflect the degree of gingival inflammation [15,16]. The C-reactive protein (CRP) is established as a reliable marker for the diagnosis of periodontal disorders [17]. To date, some of the most studied markers in saliva, with regard to gingivitis and periodontitis, are certain pro-inflammatory factors, due to their role in the pathogenic mechanisms of disease progression [18, 19, 20]. [PERSON] et al. (2021) confirmed the prognostic value of salivary IL-1\(\beta\) for the diagnosis of periodontal disease and its use as a reliable salivary biomarker [20]. These findings reveal the potential use of IL-6, IL-1\(\beta\), and CRP as local prognostic and diagnostic markers for gingival inflammation disorders in children, such as PIG. The application of these salivary biomarkers in children will be useful for disease monitoring and control, together with other parameters used in the clinical practice-- Silness-Loe plaque index (PLI) and Loe-Silness gingival index (GI) [21]. Depending on the severity of gingival inflammation, PIG is characterized as mild, moderate, or severe [21]. The individual immune response and reactivity differ in each of the stages of this oral-dental disorder [21]. We hypothesized that the salivary levels of the examined pro-inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1\(\beta\), and CRP would correspond to the degree of clinical manifestation of PIG in children and that their diagnostic and prognostic significance would be high. The identification and implementation of distinct inflammatory biomarkers such as IL-6, IL-1\(\beta\), and CRP in saliva potentially provide novel prognostic, diagnostic, and preventive approaches for children suffering from, or at risk of developing, this periodontal disease.