Background and Aims
Dental caries is an infectious and transmissible post-eruptive disease of tooth hard tissue which develops slowly in most people. The aim of our study was to highlight abnormalities of immunoelements dietary intakes, namely vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, copper and selenium in children with caries.
Method
A clinical examination of the oral cavity and a food survey using a 24 h recall were carried out at the level of 4 educational establishments, 2 nurseries and at the department of Conservative odontology of the university hospital center of Tlemcen (Algeria) in 232 children divided into two groups, decayed and uncarious.
Results
Gender, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were similar between the two groups studied. Neither brushing nor brushing frequency is different between decayed and uncaring children, regardless of score (for all comparisons, p> 0.05). In contrast, the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index was significantly elevated in decayed children compared to uncarried children (p = 0.000). In contrast to vitamin E and zinc dietary intakes, vitamin D, copper, and selenium were significantly reduced in carious children compared to uncarried children (for all comparisons, p <0.01).
Conclusion
Dietary intakes of vitamin D, copper and selenium, micronutrients that play a key role in immune defenses against infection, are deficient in children with dental caries.

IMMUNOELEMENTS AND DENTAL CARIES RISK IN CHILDREN