Partial Substitution of Hexitols for Sucrose and Dextrin in Caries-producing Diets

In vivo measurements of sulcal plaque pH after topical applications of sorbitol and sucrose in rats fed sorbitol or sucrose

To test whether adaptation to sorbitol could be observed in rat plaque, we made pH measurements of rat sulcal plaque in vivo, following topical application of 10% sorbitol solution. Rat pups were inoculated orally with S. mutans 6715 and fed diet MIT 305 (5% sucrose) for 16 days. Baseline sulcal plaque pH response of these rats to topical application of 10% sorbitol solution was measured. One group of 16 rats was then fed 20% sucrose in the diet, and a second group 20% sorbitol. After 13 days' feeding of the experimental diets (four days were used for accommodation to dose, and nine days at the 20% level for sorbitol), there was a significantly greater (p less than 0.01) drop in pH following topical application of 10% sorbitol in this group than in the sucrose-fed group. There was no difference in the pH response of the two groups to topical application of a 10% sucrose solution when tested six days later. The sulcal enamel caries score was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in the sucrose group, but buccal enamel scores were similar in both groups. Adaptation in rat plaque took place, and could be measured in vivo as an increased drop in sulcal plaque pH following topical application of sorbitol. It is not clear whether this adaptation was primarily due to selection of sorbitol-fermenting micro-organisms, or, more likely, by induction of sorbitol-specific enzymes. Relative to the sucrose-containing diet, the sorbitol diet was hypocariogenic, even under experimental conditions.

Human interdental plaque-pH data and rat caries tests: results with the same substances

Interdental plaque-pH telemetry measures, in vivo, H-ion concentration at the level of the enamel surface under an undisturbed layer of plaque. It is better suited to test non- or hypo-acidogenic products than are rat caries tests. These products can, with a very high probability, be considered non- or hypocariogenic ("safe, or friendly, for teeth"), no matter how frequently they are consumed. Plaque-pH telemetry is poorly suited for judging the effectiveness of agents directed at enamel - e.g., topical fluoride, remineralizing solutions, etc. - or agents which may have long-term effects on plaque composition. Plaque-pH telemetry is able to demonstrate the effects of different meal patterns and the form and texture of foods on oral clearance and plaque pH.

Inability of low levels of sorbitol and mannitol to support caries activity in rats

Under the environmental conditions of these experiments, neither 5 nor 10% sorbitol or mannitol in diets containing 62 or 57% corn starch, respectively, was capable of increasing the caries activity in rats above the level supported by a 67% starch diet. In contrast, 5% sucrose in the presence of 62% corn starch caused a slight increase and 10% sucrose in the presence of 57% starch caused a significant increase in caries activity beyond that observed when the diet containing 67% starch as the only carbohydrate was fed.

Relation of arsenic supplements to dental caries and the periodontal syndrome in experimental rodents

Dietary arsenic supplements were fed to caries-susceptible rats after the molar crowns were mineralized almost completely, during the mineralization of the crowns, or throughout and after development. No influence on caries activity was observed. Dietary supplements of arsenic to weanling rice rats tended to cause small increases in the severity of the periodontal syndrome.

Experimental dental caries in crossbred offspring of two caries-susceptible strains of white rats

Crossbred matings were made between two strains of caries-susceptible rats. Growth in crossbred populations was equal to or better than that in the rapidly growing purebred strain. Carious lesions in occlusal sulci were similar to lesions in the parent strains. The incidence of lesions on smooth surfaces was similar to the incidence in the less prone of the two parent strains.

Mild caloric restriction during the reproductive cycle in rats: its influence on the offspring

Mild caloric restriction during pregnancy and lactation in rats resulted in lower average birth weights and weaning weights. Male offspring had a slower rate of growth during 60-day postweaning caries assay. No increased susceptibility to dental caries, abnormal development of accessory cusps of third molars, or delayed third molar eruption was evident.

Effect of passive immunization on the dental caries incidence of caries-susceptible rats

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA LE EFFECTO DE IMMUNISATION PASSIVE SUPER LE INCIDENTIA DE CARIE DENTAL IN RATTOS SUSCEPTIBILE DE CONTRAHER CARIE.-Le immunisation passive de un linea de rattos susceptibile de contraher carie, per medie de un preparato de globulina gamma ab le sero de rattos resistente contra carie esseva inefficace in le reduction del grado de decadentia dental in le animales immunisate.

Injicite globulina gamma marcate con iodo radioactive, le qual esseva contaminate in plus per un certe quantitate de albumina e de globulina beta, esseva detegite in micre quantitates in positiones correspondente in le configuration electrophoretic de saliva total ab iste animales.