Inhibitory Effect of Oolong Tea Polyphenols on Experimental Dental Caries in SPF Rats -The Difference among the Way of Administration-

Abstract

Oolong tea extract (OTE) containing polymerized polyphenols inhibited insoluble glucan synthesis from sucrose by the glucosyltransferases of mutans streptococci. In this study, we evaluated the difference of the inhibitory effect among the ways of administration of OTE to SPF rats. The administration of OTE compound into the diet and drinking water resulted in significant reductions in caries development in rats infected with Streptococcusso brinus 6715. The administration of OTE compound into either the diet or drinking water also significantly inhibited caries development. Furthermore, rats administered the commercial product of oolong tea as drinking water showed significantly reduced caries development, when compared to the control rats.
These results indicate that the anti-cariogenicity of OTE is not affected by the way of administration and it could be useful as anti-cariogenic food additives.