Dental Caries

Abstract

In a previous report, arrest of caries in childhood following the use of high vitamin, high mineral diets was described. 1 In order to determine whether such arrest might be credited to changes in the potential acid-producing power of the oral flora, bacteriological studies have been made before, during and at the completion of arrest of caries. Scrapings were taken from the gingival surfaces of teeth, and placed in tubes containing 3 cc. of isotonic saline; after suspension, 0.5 cc. portions were transferred to each of 3 tubes of 1% dextrose meat infusion broth, with pH of 5.2, 6.4 and 7.0, respectively. These were incubated for 48 hours at 37° C. The pH was then determined colorimetrically by comparison with standard tubes. The types of organisms present in the cultures were determined from smears stained by the Gram method.

Three children with active caries were studied. At the initial observation, the acid-producing power of the peridental flora was quite marked. The children were then placed on a diet such as is considered optimum for the normal child. Intake was insured by individual supervision, and additional foods were not allowed. With no further change in regime, the caries had become arrested in every case within less than 3 months. In no case was there significant change in the potential mouth acidity during the period of observation. A fourth child, with no dentinal caries but with decalcification of the gingival enamel, was included in the study. The same capacity of the mouth flora to produce acid was noted.

The data are offered as further evidence 2 that dental caries is not primarily dependent upon the production of acid in the mouth.