title: Dissolution and precipitation reactions in human tooth enamel under weak acid conditions.
abstract: Slices of enamel were demineralized in weak acid solutions at pH 5. The solutions were analysed for Ca, P, Na and Mg. A substantial increase of the Ca/P ratio in the solution after about 6 h of demineralization was ascribed to brushite formation. The ratios of liberated Ca/Na, P/Na, Ca/Mg and P/Mg were always lower than the correspondent ratios in sound enamel. It was concluded that precipitation of brushite, and a preferential dissolution of Na and Mg compounds from the enamel both play a role in the dissolution-precipitation reactions in dental enamel during acid attack.
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017886:Durapatite; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D017886:Durapatite; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; C494366:calcium phosphate, dibasic, dihydrate; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium