Dental caries and trace element composition of whole human enamel: Western United States.

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.