Rat caries assay of reference foods and sugar-containing snacks.
Using standard reference snack foods, we tested a method, using rats fed in a programmed feeding machine, to evaluate the caries-promoting properties of foods. Results, which were expressed in relation to a control food, indicate that the method distinguished differences in caries potential among a number of different snack foods. Buccal and sulcal caries scores of rats fed snacks foods varied in their responses. A gel diet used to provide essential nutrients for the rat growth in this approach contributed minimally to the caries response which was related principally to the food being tested.
D000818:Animals; D002326:Cariogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005502:Food; D051381:Rats; D013395:Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D002326:Cariogenic Agents; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D013395:Sucrose