Assessment levels of trace elements in water from romania and the tooth decay-A pilot study

Subject Area: Health Sciences Introduction: The health of teeth could be considered an indicator for evaluation of the exposure to different environmental contaminants and for appreciation of the nutritional status of individuals. Aim: There is need to evaluate the relationship between the risk assessment levels of trace elements in water and decayed tooth dentin. Material and methods: First part to determine the evaluation of the levels of fluorine in the drinking water from centralized water supply sources distributed to the population and individual sources in 9 counties of Romania and second part to determine the concentration of fluorine in carious dentin of permanent teeth from 30 male adults from different areas of residence in a pilot study. Determination of mineral composition in water samples and fluoride in dentin of permanent teeth decayed was used an ion chromatography method and to determine the metals in dentin of teeth was used absorption optical emission spectroscopy method with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES). Result: In the water samples with low fluoride concentrations we found low concentrations of trace elements, showing a poor overall mineralization of water which, together with a general lack of fluoride, has a potential negative impact on the health of consumers, including oral-jaw system. Mineral and fluoride levels determined in dentin samples were of a significant negative correlation. Conclusion: Variability of the concentration of trace elements and fluoride in dentin of permanent decayed teeth from different people in different geographical areas, regardless of the types of teeth (premolars and molars), is of a significant negative correlation. The strong effect of geographical location implies the fact that these communities have unique features that are important determinants of dental fluorine, dependent on the individual characteristics and professional exposure.