Effect of Glucose on Sucrose-induced Dental Caries in Rats

Abstract

The role of glucose in sucrose-induced dental caries was examined in SPF Sprague-Dawley rats which had been infected with Streptocococcus mutans MT8148R (serotype c) or 6715 (g) and fed the caries-inducing diet 2000 or diet replacing sucrose with glucose being tested. Glucose was found to developed significant dental caries in rats, whereas sucrose manifested notable induction of dental caries. However, the severity of the dental caries induced by glucose was much lighter than that by sucrose and carious lesions were located in the fissures of the occlusal surfaces. On the other hand, addition of glucose to sucrose in diet resulted in a significant enhancement of sucrose-induced dental caries.