Salivary Citrate Content and Erosion of the Teeth

Abstract

In an examination of the teeth of 1,345 young men, 28 instances of dental erosion were observed (a 2% incidence). No correlation was found between the presence of erosion and citrate content of the saliva, but it was not apparent whether the erosion was active or quiescent. Saliva from 25 young adults without erosion and from 15 young adults with lesions of erosion was analyzed for citrate content. In 36% of the erosion-free individuals and 26% of those with lesions of erosion, no citrate or only trace amts. were present in the saliva. In 64% of those without erosion, 0.4 to 1.55 mg. per 100 ml. of citrate was found in the saliva samples, and in 73% of those with lesions of erosion, there was 0.2 to 1.5 mg. per 100 ml. of citrate in the saliva samples.