Research Article

The Effect of Food Hardness on the Development of Dental Caries in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Table 1

Incidence and grading of the carious molars in the mandibles of diabetic rats fed on a pelletized or powdered diet.

Control (nondiabetic)Diabetic
GroupsPelletized dietPowdered dietPelletized dietPowdered diet

Number examined30303030
Number of carious molars0029 (96.7%)**30 (100%)**††

Grade 030 (100%)30 (100%)1 (3.3%)0
Grade 1001 (3.3%)0
Grade 20014 (46.7%)2 (6.7%)
Grade 3004 (13.3%)6 (20.0%)
Grade 40010 (33.3%)22 (73.3%)

Significant difference from the control group ( P < 0.01).
Significant difference from the diabetes-pelletized diet group ( P < 0.01).