Effects of dietary sucrose levels on extracellular polysaccharide metabolism of human dental plaque.

The effects of increased and low dietary sucrose levels on the biochemical activities and composition of 4- and 12-day plaque were investigated in eight young men. The subjects were fed supervised, nutritionally adequate diets. Dextran hydrolase, levan hydrolase, and total carbohydrate content were increased during a sucrose-rich diet while invertase activity was decreased. Base-extractable carbohydrate was decreased in four-day plaque during the sucrose-rich diet. Glucosyltransferase and fructosyltransferase activity, buffer-soluble carbohydrate, and buffer-soluble protein were also determined.