Using Iron Supplements for Prevention of Dental Caries: An Experimental Study

Background: Dental carries are the most widespread disease among humans, caused by the bacteria growing in the dental plaque. Streptococcus mutans is known as the main bacteria-inducing dental carries. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of some commercially available iron supplements on the growth of this bacteria and dental carries. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial effects of six different types of iron supplements were assessed using the well-diffusion method. Furthermore, the effects of these supplements on the beginning and progression of the process of dental carries were investigated. The SPSS software package version ۲۰ was used for statistical tests. Results: At the concentration of ۱۰۰%, the highest and the lowest inhibitory effect were for Ferrokids-drops (۳۲ mm) and Irovit (۲۶ mm), respectively. At a concentration of ۵۰%, Vitane (۲۶ mm) supplement and Irovit supplement (۲۱ mm) had the highest and lowest effectiveness, respectively. Moreover, at a concentration of ۱۰%, the highest and the lowest inhibitory effect were for Vitane and Irovit, respectively. The positive control group had the highest number of decayed teeth, while the group that received Vitane iron supplements was the one with the lowest number of decayed teeth. There were no decayed teeth in the negative control group. Conclusions: In spite of what the parents believe, iron supplements not only do not cause dental carries but also they have preventive and inhibitory effects on them. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that supplements containing both iron and zinc elements should be preferred over supplements containing only iron elements.