Alkalinity Vs. Phosphate and Other Dietary Factors in the Control of Dental Caries

摘要

In previous studies, it has been found that 3% Na2CO3 added to a cariogenic diet raised the pH of the diet from 6.0 to 8.9 and also reduced its cariogenicity. The addition of lactic acid to the diet in an amount which lowered the pH to 4.7 did not make the diet more cariogenic. An attempt was made to determine whether the reduction in the cariogenicity of diet as a result of adding Na2CO3 was due to the alkalinization of the diet or to the solubilizing action of Na2CO3 on the insoluble phosphate in the diet. These studies were unsuccessful as no method was found for raising the pH of the diet without liberating phosphorus. When the trace elements molydenum, vanadium, boron, and tin were added to the diet or drinking of albino rats no cariostatic effect was produced.