OXALIC-ACID IN SALIVA, TEETH AND TOOTH TARTAR

Oxalic acid was determined in human saliva, teeth, tartar, and in anim al teeth. Saliva from dentally healthy male subjects contained 0.10 +/ - 0.09 mmol/l (n = 41) and those of dentally healthy female subjects 0 .18 +/- 0.17 mmol/l (n = 40). Oxalic acid in tartar from 16 patients w as 3.3 +/- 1.2 mmol/kg tartar. In human teeth, oxalic acid was 1.0 +/- 0.3 mmol/kg in milk teeth (n = 12) and 0.9 +/- 0.6 mmol/kg in permane nt teeth (n = 60). Human teeth were sorted into age groups and into mo lars, incisors and premolars. In animal teeth, oxalic acid content var ied widely. The formed calcium oxalate is proposed to be a 'physiologi cal' protective mechanism for teeth.