Use of Twelve-Day-Old Cotton Rats for Dental Caries Studies

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Abstract
Cotton rats weaned at 12 days adapt to 2 natural diets with no difficulties in survival, growth or reproduction. First molars are more caries-sensitive in 12 than in 18 day weanlings, but second and third molars are not affected by weaning age. Rapid caries production is essentially completed in all molars within 20 days after eruption. Caries scores are nearly as great in the first 2 molars after a 28 day cariogenic period as are usually obtained with all 3 molars using 18 day weanlings and a 98 day period. Third molars (49%) are not erupted at the end of the 28 day period. Fracturing due to caries begins beyond the fortieth day of age. Factors operating before tooth eruption and in young teeth can be studied by this means.

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