Influence of dietary sucrose on plaque extension rate in man

The aim of this study was to determine the plaque extension rate following both a sucrose restricted and a sucrose supplemented diet. Eighteen female students, 19–32 yr of age, volunteered to participate in the study. The experiment comprised two periods, with each consisting of five consecutive days of no oral hygiene. The diet during one experimental period was composed of typical Swedish food with no addition of sucrose. The diet during the other experimental period was identical except for the daily addition of 100 g sucrose. Plaque was assessed after 24 h, 72 h, and 120 h with the aid of photographs which were evaluated photogrammetrically. The results showed a mean plaque extension rate of 0.32% per hour during the period with no additional sucrose and 0.36% per hour with sucrose addition. The difference was not statistically significant. The results suggest that moderate amounts of sucrose added to normal diet do not influence the plaque extension rate.