Analysis of Calcium Levels in Groundwater and Dental Caries in the Coastal Population of an Archipelago Country

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The coastal region is the largest region in Indonesia as a country of the archipelago. Characteristics of groundwater content in coastal areas are very influential on dental health, especially dental caries. The main elements contained in 1-1000 mg/litre groundwater are calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, bicarbonate, and sulfate groups. Calcium is an essential ingredient for living organisms that play a role in the formation of bone and tooth along with permeability of cell walls.AIM:This study aimed to analyse the relationship between calcium in groundwater with dental caries.METHOD:Analytical observational study with cross-sectional approach was implemented was coastal communities in Watu Ulo Jember Regency in February 2018 (3,686 inhabitants), with sample criteria of the minimum age of 12 years and consumed groundwater as drinking water at least 2 years by purposive side. The variables in this study were calcium levels as the independent variable and dental caries as the dependent variable. Calcium was measured using the spectrophotometric method. Caries measurements were performed using the DMF-T index. Data were presented descriptively in the table and analysed by Spearman Correlation test to analyze the relationship between groundwater calcium with dental caries.RESULTS:Average groundwater calcium content was 126.75 mg/litre (high category), and average dental caries was 2.2 (low category). Spearman correlation analysis showed p = 0.029 (p < 0.000), which means there was a correlation between groundwater calcium level with dental caries.CONCLUSION:There is a positive relationship between the calcium content of groundwater with dental caries.

Estimation of Physical and Chemical Properties of Groundwater of Selected Area From Al-Dhalia Directorate, Al-Dhalia Gov., Yemen

“…Higher calcium concentrations are found in groundwater recharged in wetlands, especially in infiltrated surface water [22]. Calcium is an essential ingredient for living organisms that play a role in bone and teeth formation, along with permeability of cell walls [23]. The continuous high intake of calcium may cause stone problem [24].…”

Physicochemical quality monitoring of groundwater for drinking purposes in rural Ujjain, Central India: findings of a 2-year longitudinal study

“…It is known that calcium and magnesium are essential cations for health, as these are involved in many biochemical processes of the body [36,37]. It has also been reported that high levels of calcium in drinking water result in a low occurrence of dental caries [38], hypertension [39], and cardiovascular diseases [40,41]. However, there are other studies which indicate that excess calcium sometimes may result in an increased risk of myocardial infarction among postmenopausal women [42].…”

The correlation between the mineral drinking water composition and the relevance of dentine in health – A pilot study

“…There are also just a few studies on the effects of Ca and Mg on the resistance and susceptibility of teeth to demineralization. 2,3 Dental caries has become a public health issue in the last decades. The problems are rooted in the consumption of fluoridated water and foods prepared with excessive fluoride salt, practices that can cause dental fluorosis.…”