title: Dental caries and trace element composition of whole human enamel: Western United States.
abstract: Samples of whole enamel prepared from 83 teeth were analyzed for the concentrations of 30 trace elements. Samples were from lifelong residents, younger than 20 years of age, of a high-caries area (Oregon) and a low-caries area (California). All samples were caries-free, prepared by standardized methods, and analyzed by spark source mass spectrometry by one laboratory. Elements strongly associated with a high prevalence of caries were copper, and, to a lesser extent, aluminum, sulfur, titanium, chromium, nickel, silver, and tin. A low prevalence of caries was associated with high concentrations of strontium in enamel.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005461:Fluorine / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D009922:Oregon; D013324:Strontium / Q000032:analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D005461:Fluorine; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D013324:Strontium