The relation between caries prevalence and strontium concentrations in drinking water, plaque, and surface enamel.

Samples of plaque and surface enamel were collected from 80 boys aged 14 years living in five communities in Ohio (USA). Mean (+/- SE) strontium concentrations in plaque were 1.43 +/- 0.18 micrograms/g (wet) and 12.34 +/- 1.63 micrograms/g (dry). For surface enamel, the mean concentration was 421 +/- 31 micrograms Sr/g. Concentrations of strontium in both plaque and enamel were significantly related to strontium levels in the drinking water. Caries prevalence as DMFS was inversely related to strontium levels in water, plaque, and enamel.