Rat Caries Assay of Reference Foods and Sugar-containing Snacks

Using standard reference snack foods, we tested a method, using rats fed in a programmed feeding machine, to evaluate the caries-promoting properties of foods. Results, which were expressed in relation to a control food, indicate that the method distinguished differences in caries potential among a number of different snack foods. Buccal and sulcal caries scores of rats fed snacks foods varied in their responses. A gel diet used to provide essential nutrients for the rat growth in this approach contributed minimally to the caries response which was related principally to the food being tested.