THE EFFECT OF ANTIHISTAMINICS ON DENTAL CARIES IN THE RAT

¹ Indiana University, School of Dentistry, Indianapolis, Ind.

The administration of tripelennamine citrate and thenyldiamine at a level of 12.5 mg. per cent and 50 mg. per cent, respectively, in the drinking water of rats receiving a cariogenic diet resulted in significantly more dental caries in the animals receiving tripelennamine citrate but not in the animals receiving thenyldiamine, although a tendency for more caries was found in the latter animals. When chlorothenpyramine, tripelennamine citrate, and thenyldiamine were added to the individual diets of the animals (at levels varying between 0.1 and 0.2 gram per cent) there were no significant differences in dental caries when compared to a control group not receiving antihistaminics. All of the antihistaminics resulted in definite toxic effects to the animals as manifested by failure to gain weight normally.