The effects of molybdenum (Mo) on the dental caries of the hamsters were studied. All animals were challenged with Str. mutans after weaning for 5 days and were bred on Diet #2000 for 61 days. Mo was added to the drinking water after weaning, or added to the diet and/or drinking water before weaning. The teeth were scored for caries by the method of Keyes.
Results are as follows:
1) The caries score of the male hamsters were higher than those of the hamsters in the control group. This tendency is observed in the experimental group.
2) The animals administered with Mo in the drinking water (2 ppm Mo) atter weaning naa less caries than the control group, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant.
3) The animals administered with Mo in the diet and drinking water (5 ppm Mo added to the diet and water) for 10 days before weaning had a significantly lower caries score than the control group.
4) The animals administered with Mo in the diet and drinking water for 10 days before weaning (5 ppm Mo) and throughout the experimental period (2 ppm Mo after weaning) showed a lower caries score, which was not statistically significant compared to those of the control group.
5) The body weight gain of the animals was better in the Mo group, but the weight gain of the control group for 5 days after weaning was poor except in the summer.
It was concluded that Mo administration is more effective before weaning than after weaning. The anti-caries effect of Mo suggested the influence of the systemic factors.
View full abstract