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Plaque formation and caries development were studied in 0-M rats fed Diet 2000 and infected with S. mutans 6715 and fecal flora from older caries-active rats. Merck dextranase, Beckman dextranase or Beckman glucanase 447 were administered singly or in combination to groups of 12 rats either as an addition to the diet or as a "mouthwash" twice daily, 5 d per week. All enzymes studied were associated with significant inhibition of both plaque formation and caries development, especially on the buccal and lingual surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two sources of variability in rat caries experiments have been investigated: infection with two S mutans strains and two types of caging. Results indicated that strain 6715 was more virulent than was strain 10449 when 24-day-old rats were orally infected with the organism under standardized conditions. Caging of rats (2 per cage) in stainless steel, raised bottom cages resulted in higher level of caries than in plastic tubs (3 per cage) with hardwood bedding. Infection and caging conditions are two of the factors which may contribute to variability in caries pattern and severity in experimental rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When highly controlled parallel rat caries studies were run simultaneously in six laboratories, a similar pattern of caries developed in every laboratory with a range in mean values such that the results of no investigator were significantly different from those of at least two others. These results indicate that the major factors influencing development of rat caries have been recognized and can be controlled within reasonable limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on various regimens by which the same total amount of neutral sodium fluoride is applied to the teeth of rats showed that greater effects were observed after frequent application of 0.2% solutions than after less frequent application of more concentrated solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoride content was determined in molars of rats that were fed a nonfluoridated diet or a diet fluoridated to 20 ppm fluoride. First molars of rats from all groups contained the least fluoride, whereas third molars contained the most. The fluoridated diet increased all enamel fluoride concentrations. The increase was greatest in third molars and appeared to be correlated with the duration of systemic fluoride exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors of this study attempt to extract statistically independent factors in the dental caries of laboratory rats by using the principle components method. The components are then studied with respect to the relative importance of several genetic and environmental factors. Results of the study are provided.

The article discusses the effect of dehydroacetic acid and tetracycline on dental caries activity and transmission in rats. The authors detail the ways that chemical agents affect caries development, along with their relation to the diet, the effects on the host and oral microbiota, and the interaction of these factors.

A study of 990 rats investigated possible relationships of dental caries to body weight at 3 weeks of age and weight gain during the subsequent six weeks, maternal age at birth, sex, and litter sequence and size. Independent of chronologic age, the two measures of growth were inversely related to the development of caries. Effects of sex and litter characteristics were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]