Caries and plaque inhibition in rats by five topically applied dentifrices.

The effectiveness of 5 different brands of dentifrices on caries and plaque were tested in rats in 2 experiments. 10 litters of rats each were infected with Streptococcus sobrinus OMZ-176 and Actinomyces viscosus Ny1. The rats were offered the diet 2000a containing either 40% of sucrose (study I) or 10% of sucrose (study II). The following products were tested topically: (1) H2O, (negative control); (2) chlorhexidine diacetate, (positive control); (3) Parodontax NF; (4) Meridol; (5) Colgate Total; (6) Mentadent C; (7) Dent Xpress. Comparisons with the water control in study I showed that plaque extent was decreased by chlorhexidine diacetate, Dent Xpress and by Mentadent C only. All fluoride-containing dentifrices tested reduced caries. In study II, comparisons with the water control showed that plaque extent was reduced by chlorhexidine diacetate, Parodontax, Meridol, Dent Xpress and by Mentadent C. All dentifrices reduced caries, however, the incidence was low. These 2 studies confirm that fluorides incorporated in dentifrices decrease dental caries in the rat. Differences in the effectiveness of caries inhibition between the 5 dentifrices could not be explained either by the form of fluoride utilized or by the antimicrobials added. Rather, the performance of a given dentifrice depended upon the concerted action of the particular ingredients. It appears that the effect of antiplaque agents should be evaluated in the rat model using a diet containing sucrose at a low level.