IN-SITU RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUCROSE EXPOSURE AND THE COMPOSITION OF DENTAL PLAQUE

The aim of this study was to analyze the composition of dental plaque according to sucrose exposure. Twelve adult volunteers took part in th is crossover study done in four phases of 28 days each. For each phase of the study, an acrylic resin appliance containing four human dental enamel blocks was constructed for each volunteer. A 20% sucrose solut ion was dripped onto the enamel blocks from 0 to 8 times/day. The volu nteers were randomly assigned to the treatments. During the experiment al period all the subjects used fluoride-free dentifrice, refrained fr om brushing the enamel blocks and drank water fluoridated at 0.70 ppm F. After each phase the concentrations of fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and total carbohydrate were determined in dental plaque . Statistical analyses showed that frequent sucrose exposure significa ntly (p<0.05) reduced the F, Ca and P concentrations in dental plaque, but increased the alkali-soluble carbohydrate concentration. The resu lts suggest that the cariogenicity of dental plaque formed in the pres ence of sucrose cannot be attributed only to its higher porosity, but the lower inorganic concentration may also be important.