Induction of Dental Caries and Pathological Changes in Periodontium of Rat with Hydrogen Peroxide and Other Oxidizing Agents

¹ Western Biological Laboratories, Culver City, California

Immature rats fed a non-cariogenic ration and administered hydrogen peroxide in the drinking water as a 1 or 1.5 per cent solution developed extensive carious lesions and pathological changes in the periodontium and submaxillary glands after an 8-week period of administration. Similar effects were noted when zinc peroxide and sodium perborate were incorporated at a 2 per cent level in the ration. The significance of these findings is briefly discussed. These dental and periodontal changes appeared to be independent of weight loss brought about by inanition.