Modification of soft drinks with xanthan gum to minimise erosion: a study in situ.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the erosive effect of a new blackcurrant/calcium drink with xanthan gum, on enamel in situ, with a low erosive product, a conventional fruit beverage and water.


METHODS
The study was single centre, randomised, single blind, 4 treatment crossover design.


METHODS
This study, conducted in 2000, employed volunteers working at the Bristol Dental Hospital, UK.


METHODS
16 subjects (>or=18 years) wore two enamel samples in a removable acrylic appliance. The drinks tested were (A) New blackcurrant/calcium/gum drink (test product), (B) Original blackcurrant/calcium drink, (C) Conventional blackcurrant drink (positive control) and (D) Water (negative control), for 15 day study periods. Drinking was supervised, with 250 ml imbibed four times/day between 9.00am-5.00pm. Profile measurements of specimens were made at baseline, 5, 10 and 15 days.


METHODS
Paired t-tests compared erosion by surfometry with selected pairs of formulations.


RESULTS
Of 16 screened subjects (3 male, 13 female), mean age 34.2 years, 1 subject failed to complete the study. A caused significantly less enamel loss than C, with no statistically significant differences from B at any time points measured. Of 43 treatment emergent adverse events, none were considered related to the study formulations.


CONCLUSIONS
A retained low erosive properties similar to B, with additional benefits of taste flexibility and beverage stability.
West
N X
NX
Division of Restorative Dentistry, Dental School, Bristol BS1 2LY. N.X.West@bristol.ac.uk
Hughes
J A
JA
Parker
D
D
Weaver
L J
LJ
Moohan
M
M
De'Ath
J
J
Addy
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium; D002253:Carbonated Beverages; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D031965:Ribes; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014867:Water
D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D014867:Water; D002118:Calcium; C002563:xanthan gum