SUMMARY Sales of soft drinks has been increasing by 56% over the last 10 years and are estimated to keep rising at about 2 – 3% a year. Further, the re- ported incidence of tooth erosion has been increas- ingly documented. Whilst these factors could well be linked, many individuals with erosive diets are not presenting with erosion. This would suggest the effects of many variables, hence the aim of these investigations. Methodologies included preparing enamel and dentine samples from unerupted hu- man third molars. Groups of five specimens were placed in citric acid over a temperature range of 5 – 60 °C for 10-min exposures; placed in citric, lactic,
Introduction
The erosive effect of food and drink on teeth has been documented over many years. Early citings of erosion were reported by Darby (1892) and Miller (1907). Since this time the wider availability and frequent consumption of soft drinks, alongside anecdotal reports of tooth surface loss, has led to claims of increased prevalence and acceleration in tooth wear (Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, 1994; Nunn, 1996). However, to date there are no longitudinal studies to support these claims.
Acids, the major constituent of soft beverages, are used to impart an astringent taste that offsets the sweetness of the sugar and enhance or complement the associated flavour. Further, acids prevent deteriora- tion through microbiological spoilage. The kind of acid and the concentration employed are very significant
malic or phosphoric acid (0·05, 0·1, 0·5, and 1% (w/v)) for 10-min exposures; and placed in the same three organic hydroxy acids at 0·3% (w/v) or phos- phoric acid at 0·1% (w/v) for 3 × 10-min exposures. Tissue loss was determined by profilometry. Results showed that increasing temperature, concentration and exposure time increased the erosion of dentine and enamel. This study has shown that under highly controlled conditions, erosion of dentine and enamel by dietary acids can be greatly influenced in vitro by temperature, concentration, type of acid and exposure time. These factors could be employed in order to reduce the erosivity of soft acidic drinks.