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Meisel P, Schwahn C et al. J Dent Res 2005; 84: 937–941

Mg is common throughout the body, is a physiological Ca antagonist, and may regulate certain cell functions. In health, serum concentrations are constant. This study reports data from 4290 subjects in a stratified random sample from NE Germany (response rate 69%). Half-mouth periodontal examinations were carried out.

In subjects aged below 40 yrs, Mg/Ca ratio was unrelated to periodontal parameters, but in older subjects a higher ratio was associated with less periodontitis and more teeth. The same applied to a higher Mg concentration and to lower Ca concentration, but Mg levels were not significantly correlated with Ca levels. In addition, 60 subjects taking additional Mg in drugs were compared with 120 matched controls, and the latter were found to have 15% deeper probing depths, 20% fewer teeth and 25% more attachment loss. There was no difference in serum Ca and Mg in these two groups. The authors interpret their findings as showing a possible intracellular effect of Mg.