THE EFFECTS OF MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY ON THE TEETH AND THEIR SUPPORTING STRUCTURES IN RATS

Abstract

In 24 rats the feeding of a low Mg diet was associated with decreased cell content and increased amts. of pink-staining intercellular substance in the paradontium, and also with the formation of a deep blue-staining amorphous material in the bone lining the paradontium, after 17 days of feeding. Sections of jaws of rats fed for 3 mos. showed replacement of bone around the molar teeth by large deep pink-staining masses of tissue containing many spindle-shaped cells. The incisor teeth were surrounded by a similar mass and the tooth structures themselves showed marked change, especially the persistently growing incisor roots. These changes indicate that Mg is essential for proper formation of the teeth and their supporting structures in the rat. The possible mechanisms by which these changes arise are discussed.