Urinary Selenium and Dental Caries

Abstract

THE suggested direct relationship between urinary selenium concentrations and the prevalence of dental caries in American children^1,2 is not substantiated by an investigation in New Zealand. Until recently, studies on the physiological effects of selenium have been concerned with its toxicity. Later evidence sxiggests that for some animals, and at certain levels, the element may be classified as essential³. Although selenium has not been demonstrated to be essential in man, its suspected role in electron transport may suggest a possible modification of the calcified structures. In New Zealand, the marked improvement in health, weight gain, and reduction of muscular dystrophy in sheep (‘white muscle disease’) by dosing with selenium⁴, suggests there is a minimum level of available selenium in many areas of New Zealand. This evidence warranted an investigation of the supposed selenium–caries relationship.