Selenium dental caries

Hadjimarkos DM. 1963. Selenium content of human milk Possible effect on dental caries. JPediatr 63 273-275. 

Hadjimarkos DM, Bonhorst CW. 1961. The selenium content of eggs, milk, and water in relation to dental caries. J Pediatr 59 256-259. 

Nixon and others (652,653,654,655,657,659) have investigated the concentrations of Mn, Sb, Hg, Cu and other elemental species in the enamel from human teeth. As a result of some of this work, Nixon and Smith (658) have shown that submicrogram amounts of Hg could be a hazard in dental surgery. Hadjimarkos (369) indicates that the selenium content of human milk could have a possible effect on dental caries. In another study Sairenji et al. (795) investigated the effect of arsenic on the hard tissues of arsenic devitalized teeth. Stubbins and Fremlin (923) used charged-particle activation analysis to estimate the distribution of C, Ca, and P in dental enamel. 

Symptoms of poisoning in humans (selenosis) can occur even at doses that are 20 times the recommended daily dose (1-2 mg). Chronic human exposure to higher doses of selenium is manifested by inflammation of the respiratory tract, pulmonary oedema, bleeding, skin changes and depression. The characteristic garlic breath and metallic taste in the mouth is caused by the presence of dimethyldiselenide. In severe cases, jaundice, liver cirrhosis, hair and nails falling out, dental caries and kidney failure can appear. 

Toxicity-Poisanous effects of selenium are manifesied by 111 abnor maliiies of the hair. nads. and ddn 121 gadic odor on the breath 131 inlan-sificaiion of seienium unddiy by arsenic OI mercury 141 higher then normal rates of dental caries. 

Selenium has also been implicated as a cause of dental caries [19] and has been shown to be teratogenic [48]. An early study by Nelson [35] showing selenium to be carcinogenic has never been solidly substantiated by subsequent studies [33]. 

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