Salivary pH changes during soft drinks consumption in children.
Dental erosion seems to have increased, perhaps partly as a result of an increase in the consumption of soft drinks.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to measure salivary pH, flow rate and buffering capacity before and after soft drinks intake in children with erosive lesions and to compare these to equivalent values for healthy caries-free individuals.


METHODS
The study was conducted as a case-control study using standard salivary tests. Thirty children with erosion and 30 age and sex-matched children free from erosion and active caries were included in this study.


METHODS
Salivary flow rate was measured through expectoration into a graduated tube, salivary buffering capacity through colourimetric procedures and salivary pH using a digital pH meter.


RESULTS
Results showed significant differences between cases and controls for salivary pH, flow rate, buffering capacity, maximum pH drop and minimum pH reached after soft drinks intake.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that all the factors studied are involved in dental erosion and that preventive care is mandatory for children who frequently drink these kinds of beverages.
Sánchez
G A
GA
Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. postmast@pediat.odon.uba.ar
Fernandez De Preliasco
M V
MV
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages; D002021:Buffers; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002957:Citrus; D003124:Colorimetry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D013025:Glycine max; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology
D002021:Buffers