The nutritional and environmental status of a human
population can be determined by monitoring the trace elements present in their
teeth. This is not unexpected as tooth enamel has both an organic and inorganic
phase. The organic phase consists of proteins (amelogenin, ameloblastin and
tuftelin) together with small amounts of proteolglycans and lipoids. In
contrast, the inorganic phase is composed of well-packed nanocrystals of
calcium apatite together with quantities of trace elements. The trace elementsin teeth can vary depending on the source of food and water as well as fromsoil and dermal absorption. For example the level of Zn and Mg in human dentine
was correlated with their presence in soil while Pb indicated environmental
pollution in the drinking water.
Studies have shown that nutritional
deficiencies can affect teeth during dentition, a critical growth period forteeth Examination of the teeth of children and adults (40-60 years old) in a
rural area of Egypt found a positive association between caries and the
presence of Mg, Cd, Pb and Ba. Higher levels of Mg, Cd, Pb and Ba were observed
in permanent teeth compared to primary teeth as well as in carious teeth pulps
compared to healthy teeth pulps
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