Caries Reduction in Rats by Phosphate, Magnesium and Fluoride Additions to Diet with Modifications of Dental Calculus and Calcium of the Kidneys and Aorta

Abstract

To elucidate further our previous findings on the corrective effects of dietary magnesium, phosphate and fluoride additives on the disturbed calcium phosphate balance of the body, including caries, the experimentation was continued by varying the basal diet and the concentration of the additives. Addition of orthophosphate alone to a magnesium-deficient cariogenic diet strongly reduced fissure caries. This was accompanied by an appreciably reduced rate of growth. Phosphate addition per se also promoted both renal and aortic accumulation of calcium as well as accumulation of dental calculus. These undesirable effects of phosphate could be reduced or prevented by further addition of magnesium or fluoride or preferably by both simultaneously. All three additives together reduced fissure caries significantly. During low or medium basal dietary intake of magnesium, the fluoride, when fed with phosphate, reduced caries significantly too, but this could not fully correct phosphate-induced renal calcium accumulation. The additional presence of magnesium was necessary for the full correction of the renal calcium content. Aortic calcium was increased by phosphate in magnesium-deficient rats but it was corrected by fluoride. Phosphate-induced dental calculus accumulation was reduced by fluoride and magnesium together on a high-magnesium basal diet. The results suggests a possibility of preventing the mineral disequilibrium of the body, i. e. demineralization of hard tissues and mineralization of soft tissues through some simple alterations in food composition.