Ineffectiveness of low molecular weight dextrans in the prevention of experimental dental caries in mutant albino rats

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine whether the inclusion of low molecular weight dextran in Harvard cariogenic diet 2700 would alter caries activity. Rats of the mutant albino caries-susceptible strain which develop carious lesions in the occlusal sulci and on smooth surfaces were used because their oral cavities harbour dextran-forming microorganisms. Supplementation of diet 2700 with 15 per cent dextran with a molecular weight of 6.0–9.0 × 10 4 or 2.0 to 3.0 × 10 5 had no influence on caries activity in the occlusal sulci or on the smooth surfaces.