Calcium, Phosphorus, Fluoride, and pH Levels of Human Dental Plaque from Areas of Varying Fluoride Levels

Abstract

Plaque calcium, phosphorus, fluoride, and pH in samples obtained from 149 life-long resident children, aged from six to seven and 12 to 13 yr, from one of three naturally fluoridated communities were determined. In general, smaller amounts of phosphorus and fluoride, and larger amounts of calcium and hydrogen ions (lower pH values) are associated with smaller amounts of fluoride in the drinking water supply. Significant differences among the mean pH, fluoride, and Ca/P concentrations both in the six-to-seven- and 12-to-13-year age group were found when comparing the results of the three areas with different levels of fluoride in their drinking water supply.