LACK OF SMOOTH-SURFACE CARIES IN RATS RECEIVING MODIFIED STEPHAN DIET

¹ Department of Biochemistry, Indiana University Medical Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Ind.

Weanling rats received three diets differing in either the milk powder component or the addition of a vitamin mixture. Substituting equal amounts of whole milk powder for non-fat skim milk powder increased dental caries, although the difference was only of borderline significance. The cariogenic effect of these diets does not appear to be due to a vitamin deficiency. None of the animals failed noticeably to gain weight, so comparisons between failure to gain weight and dental caries was not possible. The reason that these diets did not produce smooth-surface caries, as has been reported by others, is discussed.