The Production of Dental Caries in Rats Fed an Adequate Diet

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Abstract
Dental caries has been produced in rats by feeding a diet consisting of yellow cornmeal, whole milk powder, linseed meal, alfalfa and NaCl, the cornmeal being fairly coarse. When finely ground cornmeal or oatmeal was substituted for the coarse cornmeal no caries developed. The critical factor in the development of caries is the tendency for impaction of cornmeal particles. When impaction takes place, decay of the tooth results at the place of impaction. This decay is apparently independent of any of the known dietary factors. It is suggested that the physical properties of foods may play an important role in dental decay in humans.

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