IN VITRO STUDIES OF SODIUM BICARBONATE IN RELATION TO CERTAIN FACTORS CONCERNED WITH DENTAL CARIES

¹ School of Dentistry, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Adherent, cloudy films of plaque-like nature have been deposited on sheets of cellophane and their effects on the rate of dialysis of sodium bicarbonate through the cellophane have been studied. The plaques slightly inhibit but do not prevent the passage of the bicarbonate through the membrane.

The effect of sodium bicarbonate on acid production and growth of L. acidopilus has been studied in vitro. Inhibition of growth occurs which, it is believed, can be attributed in great measure to pH changes that occur in the media. However, reference is made to a limited number of individuals whose L. acidophilus count was reduced or maintained negative during two- and six- month periods in which sodium bicarbonate was employed as a dentifrice.