Fluoride and Citrate Content of Deciduous Teeth

In previous reports, data were presented on the fluoride and citrate content of teeth of 5to 9-month fetuses from areas in which the natural concentration of fluoride in the drinking water varied between 0.05 and 1.0 ppm (I. GEDALIA ET AL. Arch Oral Biol 9:331-40, 1964; JADA, 71:1121-123, 1965; Arch Oral Biol 12: 545-49, 1967). The mean fluoride content of the teeth was found to be significantly lower in fetuses of comparable age from areas with 0.05 to 0.1 ppm as compared with those from areas with 0.5 to 1.0 ppm F in the drinking water. No significant differences were noticed in the mean citrate content of the teeth at corresponding age in fetuses from all areas. In the present investigation, the fluoride and citrate content was determined in deciduous teeth from 10to 14-yearold children born and reared in places with water supplies containing 0.05 to 1.0 ppm F. The teeth examined were intact, shed molars. Citrate determinations were carried out according to the method of Hess and White (I Dent Res 34:462-65, 1955). The values were expressed on a dry, fat-free basis. Fluoride analysis was carried out on an ashed aliquot as previously described (I. GEDALIA ET AL, 1964 op cit) and expressed on an ash basis. The results (Table) showed a significantly higher fluoride content in the deciduous teeth from areas with 0.5 to 1.0 ppm as compared with 0.1 ppm F in drinking water. The citrate content of the teeth from areas with 0.5 to 1.0 ppm F was significantly lower as compared with 0.1 ppm F. The increased fluoride and decreased citrate content in the deciduous teeth occurring with increased fluoride concentration in the drinking water was probably a result of ion ex-