Serum and hair levels of selected vitamins and minerals in children with varying enamel mineralization levels

Relevance. Dental caries remains highly prevalent and severe in children during the mixed dentition period. Its development is influenced by both local and systemic factors. Although local aetiological factors of caries in children are relatively well understood, systemic health remains an important determinant of caries severity. Vitamins substantially impact metabolic processes in children and are essential in clinical practice, including pediatric dentistry. Objective. To investigate the role of selected vitamins and minerals, as measured in serum and hair, in preventing dental caries in children with low enamel mineralization. Materials and methods. The study included 143 children aged 6 to 12 years (mean age ≈ 8.7 ± 1.3 years). Clinical examination involved the assessment of caries severity using the DMFT index and evaluation of caries increment. As prescribed by a pediatrician, blood and hair samples were collected in a clinical laboratory, and vitamin or vitamin–mineral supplements were administered accordingly. Results . Among children who received an age-appropriate vitamin complex for three months, the DMFT index increased from 2.31 ± 0.07 to 3.43 ± 0.05 over the one-year observation period, corresponding to a caries increment of 1.12 ± 0.02. In those who received a combined vitamin–mineral supplement, the DMFT index rose from 2.10 ± 0.02 to 2.70 ± 0.80, with a lower caries increment of 0.60 ± 0.78. Among children administered an Mg + B6 supplement daily for three months, the index changed from 2.25 ± 0.02 to 2.31 ± 0.78, resulting in a caries increment of 0.85 ± 0.60. In contrast, the control subgroup showed the highest increase, with the DMFT index rising from 2.25 ± 0.02 to 4.23 ± 0.05 and a caries increment of 2.13 ± 0.03. Conclusion . Combined supplementation with vitamins and minerals was also associated with a more favorable caries increment in this group.