title: A study of the relationship between trace elements in saliva and dental caries in children.
abstract: About 8 ml of saliva were collected from each of 272 children, living in rural areas in North India, equally distributed into age groups 4-7 and 12-16 yr and stratified into low, moderate and high caries groups. The salivas were analysed for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and for F with a fluoride-sensitive electrode. The elements Cu and F had a consistent, inverse relationship with caries experience. The concentration of Zn, Fe and Mn in saliva did not have any consistent relationship with caries experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Dental Health, University of Leeds, U.K.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Duggal
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Curzon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D008345:Manganese / Q000032:analysis; D012424:Rural Population; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc; D005459:Fluorides