LABORATORY METHODS FOR SCREENING POSSIBLE INHIBITORS OF DENTAL CARIES

¹ Colgate-Palmolive Co., Jersey City, N. J.

The Snyder and Wach tests for caries activity have been modified and adapted to the screening of materials as possible inhibitors of salivary acid formation. To be an effective anticaries agent it is believed that such an inhibitor should be retained in the mouth, on the dental plaque or oral tissue, and exercise a continuing restraint on acid production.

Precipitated salivary mucin and a commercial casein have been found to retain certain inhibitors in active form. When the treated proteins are introduced into an appropriate nutrient with acidogenic salivary organisms they reduce acid formation.

Screening results by these tests on several dozen compounds are given. Among the more effective inhibitors by these tests are penicillin, Aureomycin hydrochloride, Chloromycetin, sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate, Terramycin hydrochloride, and 5-nitro-2-furoic acid.