Research for developing a practical system to test non-cariogenic foods and sugar substitutes

我们开发了一套实用的系统来测量活体人下磨牙牙间菌斑的pH值。我们的方法和数据与国际牙医友好组织授权的三个测试实验室的方法和数据进行了比较。经过认真调研，我课题组被批准注册为第四批检测实验室。我们的留置系统对几种食物和口服药物进行了实际测试。在日本可以买到的大多数咽喉含片和咳嗽感冒药糖浆都是致酸的。它们的发酵糖应该被非产酸或低酸甜味剂取代，以降低它们的致龋性。我们的研究工作有望与合适的糖果和制药公司合作，提供社会效益。唾液的作用在保持体内菌斑-pH值高方面的重要性得到了实际证明。为了切实预防龋齿，思考吃什么、怎么吃和什么时候吃是很重要的。这项研究工作使提供有关食物何时以及如何服用的产酸性的具体信息成为可能。在预防龋齿方面仔细考虑饮食习惯不仅向专业领域发出呼吁，而且通过报纸等大众媒体向公众发出呼吁。

We developed the practical system to measure the in vivo interdental plaque-pH of low molar teeth in humans using an indewelling electrode. Our methods and data were compared with those of three test laboratories authorized by Toothfriendly Sweets International. After a careful investigation our research group is approved and registered as the fourth test laboratory. Several foods and oral medicines were tested practically by our indwelling system. Most of throat lozenges and cough-and-cold medicated syrups availabe in Japan turned out to be acidogenic. Their fermentative sugars should be substituted by non-or low-acidogenic sweetners to reduce their cariogenic potential. Our research work is expected to provide social profits in cooperation with suitable confectionery and pharmaceutical companies. The importance of salivary role was practically demonstrated in keeping in vivo plaque-pH high. It is important to think about what to eat, how to eat and when to eat in order to prevent dental caries practically. This research work makes possible to present concrete information on acidogenicity of foods when and how they are taken. The careful consideration of eating habits in preventing dental caries are made an appeal not only to the professional field but also to the general public through the mass media such as news papers etc.