The Effect of Some Chemicals on the Rate of Acid Formation in Saliva

Abstract

Thirty-one compounds, consisting of peroxides, quinones, guanidines, aldehydes and others, were tested for enzyme inhibiting action on the fermentation reaction in mixtures of human saliva, glucose, and human enamel mixtures. All of the compounds tested, with the exception of the guanidines, inhibited the rate of acid formation in saliva. It was suggested that insofar as glyceric aldehyde was quite effective in preventing acid formation in saliva, it may be useful in the control of dental caries.