Evidence that High-sucrose Diet Reduces Dentin Formation and Disturbs Mineralization in Rat Molars

Abstract

In addition to its caries-promoting effect, a high-sucrose diet reduces the apposition of mineralized dentin in young rats. This study was undertaken to test whether it has a similar effect on the width of the as-yet-uncalcified matrix, predentin. Female Wistar rats were weaned at the age of 3 weeks and fed for 7 weeks with either a high-sucrose diet, a non-cariogenic raw potato starch diet, or a non-cariogenic commercial powdered rat food (for reference). The sucrose diet induced the greatest number of caries lesions. Dentin formation was smaller and the predentin zone wider in rats fed a sucrose diet when compared with rats fed the reference diet. In rats fed a starch diet, dentin formation was smaller than in rats fed a reference diet, but no alterations in the areas of caries lesions or predentin width were observed. Widening of the predentin zone in rats fed a high-sucrose diet may reflect changes in odontoblast function, such as reduced matrix synthesis and possibly disturbed mineralization. Dentinal caries progression may thus be modulated by odontoblast function, not as much by matrix formation but rather by mineralization.

Keywords

predentin dentin sucrose starch caries

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Couve E. (1987). Changes in the predentin thickness and mineralization front configuration in developing human premolars. Acta Anatomica 130:324-328.

Engstrom C. , Linde A. , Magnusson BC (1977). Odontoblast metabolism in rats deficient in vitamin D and calcium. I: A histochemical survey. J Oral Pathol 6:359-366.

Engstrom C. , Jontell M. , Linde A. (1978). Odontoblast metabolism in rats deficient in vitamin D and calcium. II: Protein synthesis in vitro. J Oral Pathol 7:227-235.

Ericsson Y. , Angmar-Mansson B. , Flores M. (1990). Urinary mineral ion loss after sugar ingestion . Bone Mineral 9:233-237.

Green RM , Hartles RL (1967). A modification to an established technique for the assessment of fissure caries in the rat. Arch Oral Biol 12:427-428.

Hietala E-L. , Larmas M. (1992). The effect of ovariectomy on dentin formation and caries in adult rats. Acta Odontol Scand 50:337-343.

Hietala E-L. , Larmas M. (1994). The effect of ovariectomy and high-sucrose diet on dentine formation and caries in growing rats. Arch Oral Biol 39:973-978.

Hietala E-L. , Tjaderhane L. , Larmas M. (1993). Dentin caries recording with Schiff's reagent, fluorescence, and backscattered electron image. J Dent Res 72:1588-1592.

Keyes PH (1958). Dental caries in the molar teeth of the rat. J Dent Res 37:1088-1099.

10.

Konig KG , Marthaler TM , Mühlemann HR (1958). Methodik der

11.

kurzfristig erzeugten rattenkaries. Dtsch Zahn Mund Kieferheilkd 29:99-127.

12.

Kortelainen S. , Larmas M. (1990). Effects of low and high fluoride levels on rat dental caries and simultaneous dentine apposition. Arch Oral Biol 35:229-234.

13.

Larmas M. , Kortelainen S. (1989). Quantification of the areas of dentinal lesions and secondary dentin in fissures of rat molars. Caries Res 23:32-35.

14.

Larmas M. , Hietala E-L. , Simila S. , Pajari U. (1991). Oral manifestations of familial hypophosphatemic rickets after phosphate supplement therapy: a review of the literature and report of case. J Dent Child 58:328-334.

15.

Leaver AG (1971). Inter-relationships of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D in the bones and teeth of the rat. Clin Orthop Rel Res 78:90-107.

16.

Lemann J. Jr , Lennon EJ , Piering WR , Prien EL Jr , Ricanati ES (1970). Evidence that glucose ingestion inhibits net renal tubular resorption of calcium and magnesium in man. J Lab Clin Med 75:578-585.

17.

Massler M. (1967). Pulpal reactions to dental caries. Int Dent J

18.

:441-460.

19.

Navia JM , Narkates AJ (1980). Dental research. In: The laboratory rat. Vol. II. Baker HJ, Linsay JR, Weisbroth SH, editors. New York: Academic Press, pp. 59-74. Potter RH (1994). Significance level and confidence interval. J Dent Res 73:494-496.

20.

Rogers AD (1979). Nutrition. In: The laboratory rat. Vol. I. Baker HJ , Lindsay JR , Weisbroth SH , editors. New York: Academic Press, pp. 123-153.

21.

Soames JV, Southam JC , editors (1993). Dental caries. In: Oral pathology. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 19-32. Thom JA , Morris JE , Bishop A. , Blacklock NJ (1978). The influence of refined carbohydrate on urinary calcium exretion. Br J Urol 50:459-464.

22.

Tjaderhane L. , Hietala E-L. , Larmas M. (1994). Reduction in dentine apposition in rat molars by a high-sucrose diet. Arch Oral Biol 39:491-495.

23.

Woltgens JHM (1986) Dentin caries. In: Tooth. Development and caries. Driessens FCM , Woltgens JHM , editors. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, pp. 131-145.