Substantiation of the influence of trace element composition of drinking water on the state of dental health of children

Abstract

Introduction. The dental health of children is an important indicator of the general health of the population and largely depends on environmental factors. The quality of drinking water plays a key role. Water is a constant and uncontrolled source of micronutrients in the human body, which makes its composition critically important in shaping health from an early age. Trace elements, in particular fluoride, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and copper, are involved in numerous biochemical processes: they ensure the development and maintenance of the functional integrity of hard tooth tissues, affect the processes of enamel mineralization, modulate the microbial composition of the oral cavity, and participate in the formation of local immunity.Objective of the research: to assess the impact of the trace element composition of drinking water on children's dental health by analyzing the correlation between the level of caries intensity and the content of fluoride, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron.Materials and methods. To achieve this goal, we conducted a dental examination of 839 children in the Chernivtsi region and took samples of drinking water in schools where dental examinations of schoolchildren were conducted. Chemical and analytical studies of water samples were conducted at the «Ukrainian Scientific Center for Marine Ecology». Pearson's correlation analysis was used to assess the presence of a correlation between the signs.Results of the study. The results of the study confirm statistically significant correlations between the content of trace elements in drinking water and the intensity of caries in children. A pronounced inverse relationship was found for fluoride (r = -0.829, p < 0.01), which is confirmed by international studies. Calcium and magnesium demonstrated moderately positive associations with caries, which may be explained by the complexity of mineralization processes and possible disorders of their ratio. Zinc, due to its antimicrobial properties, had an inverse correlation of medium strength (r = -0.602), and its presence in water is considered a protective factor. Iron and copper showed weak correlations, indicating that their influence on caries development is less significant.Conclusion. The correlation analysis confirmed the relationships of varying strength between the trace element composition of drinking water and the development of caries in children. The obtained results substantiate the need to implement comprehensive preventive measures aimed at correcting the mineral balance of water and improving dental health in organized children's groups.