[The importance of mineral supplementation for dentition and jaw]

In this article the importance of mineral suppletion for teeth and jawbone is explained in a step-wise manner. The steps discussed are the pre-eruptive phase of teeth and the growth, adult and ageing phase of the skeleton. Mineral suppletion should be seen as a measure to prevent dental caries (fluoride) and to ensure a maximal resistance against the spontaneous bone loss during ageing. Therefore, it seems not suitable for therapy of osteoporosis. If an enhanced bone loss occurs as a result of decreased production of sex hormones or immobility, mineral suppletion will probably have a minor effect. An optimal mineral intake will ensure a maximal peak bone mass built up during the growth phase of bone, a maintenance of this peak bone mass as much as possible during the phase of neutral bone balance and a minimal bone loss during the ageing period with negative bone balance.