Influence of sweetening agents in solution on dental caries in desalivated rats

Sucralose (trichlorogalactosucrose), sorbitol and aspartame in drinking water induced little or no caries in desalivated rats infected with Streptococcus sobrinus and Actinomyces viscosus and receiving their essential nutrition by gastric gavage. In contrast, sucrose and fructose induced extensive decay. Only sucrose could sustain implantation of Strep. sobrinus in these animals. The populations of A. viscosus were sparse (0.3-0.5%) in the animals given fructose and sucrose. Large populations of A. viscosus occurred in the controls and in those given sucralose, sorbitol and aspartame. In a second experiment, where animals were also desalivated and receive diet 2000 ad libitum, sucrose in solution promoted caries whereas sucralose, aspartame and saccharin were without effect. Addition of 10 parts/10(6) F overcame the caries-promoting effect of sucrose in solution. There was no interaction between fluoride and other sweetening agents that affected the incidence of caries.