Equine saliva components and changes in the oral biofilm of teeth

The similarity to the human condition of dental caries and makes you question the use of sweet feeds with molasses and sugary treats. No hard candies guys,
DrO

Acta Vet Scand. 2020 May 23;62(1):21.
Equine saliva components during mastication, and in vivo pH changes in the oral biofilm of sound and carious tooth surfaces after sucrose exposure.
Lundström T1, Lingström P2, Wattle O3, Carlén A4, Birkhed D5.

Author information:
1. Animal Dental Clinic, Västra Husby, 60596, Söderköping, Sweden. torbjorn@djurtandvardskliniken.se.
2. Department of Cariology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 450, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
3. Division of Diagnostics and Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.
4. Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy Sweden University of Gothenburg, Box 450, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
5. Fersens väg 14B, 211 42, Malmö, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

The role of saliva composition and dietary sugar in development of infundibular caries in equine cheek teeth is not fully understood. This study analysed electrolyte and urea concentrations in saliva in relation to different forage and measured pH changes after sucrose application in vivo in sound and carious cheek teeth.
RESULTS:

Forage type had no effect on the equine saliva electrolyte concentrations, which varied considerably both intra- and inter-individually. Chewing resulted in increased values for all electrolytes except bicarbonate. Compared with stimulated human saliva, horse saliva after mastication, contained higher amounts of potassium, calcium and bicarbonate, and less phosphate. The in vivo pH measurements showed a lower resting pH and a more pronounced pH drop after sucrose application in carious teeth compared to sound teeth.
CONCLUSIONS:

No large differences were found between the composition of equine saliva and human saliva. A more pronounced acidogenicity was found for the carious than sound teeth. Thus, the caries process in equine cheek teeth seems to follow the same pattern as in human teeth, caused by acid production by oral microorganisms after sugar consumption.