Pharmacologic Control of Dentinal Fluid Movement and Dental Caries in Rats

¹ School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California

Parasympathetic stimulants were found to encourage the movement of fluid through the dentin from the pulp to the dentinoenamel junction. Regular treatment with a parasympathetic stimulant in rats that had all their major salivary glands removed significantly reduced the incidence of dental caries. Treatment with bradykinin in rats on a noncariogenic diet encouraged the movement of fluid into the tooth. When given regularly for 15 weeks, bradykinin caused significant dental caries.