The invention describes a method of predicting the risk of caries in a subject and a kit based on said method, characterized in that the method involves the following steps:
(a) determining the concentration in the saliva of the subject of: (i) at least one compound selected from among the components of the saliva of the immune system; (ii) at least one compound selected from among those involved in microbial adhesion to a surface of the buccal cavity; and (iii) at least one compound selected from among the components involved in the metabolism or regulation of pH in the buccal cavity;
(b) comparing a response variable calculated on the basis of the at least one of the concentrations determined in (i), at least one of the concentrations determined in (ii), and at least one of the concentrations determined in (iii) in step (a) with a corresponding reference response variable in a population of subjects without caries or in a population of subjects with caries; and
(c) determining the risk of caries on the basis of the degree of difference in the response variable compared in step (b), wherein a higher degree of difference between the response variable of the subject and the corresponding reference response variable in a population of subjects without caries or in a population of subjects with caries is indicative of a higher risk of caries in said subject.