Erosion of enamel by non-carbonated soft drinks with and without toothbrushing abrasion.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how enamel loss due to erosion, and due to cycling of erosion and abrasion, depends on compositional parameters of soft drinks, and particularly whether the thickness of the erosive softened layer is a function of drink composition.


METHODS
University dental hospital research laboratory in the UK, 2004.


METHODS
Six drinks were chosen based on their popularity and composition: apple juice, orange juice, apple drink, orange drink, cranberry drink and 'ToothKind' blackcurrant drink. Group A samples (n = 36) were exposed to soft drinks at 36 degrees C for six consecutive 10 minute periods. Group B samples (n = 36) were subjected to alternating erosion and toothbrushing, repeated six times. Enamel loss was measured using optical profilometry.


RESULTS
Group A: significant enamel loss was seen for all drinks (p < 0.001). Erosion was correlated with pH and calcium concentration but not phosphate concentration or titratable acidity. Group B: significant additional material loss due to toothbrush abrasion occurred with all drinks. Abrasive enamel loss differed between the drinks and was positively correlated with drink erosive potential.


CONCLUSIONS
Enamel loss by erosion is exacerbated by subsequent abrasion. The amount of softened enamel removed by toothbrushing is a function of the chemical composition of the erosive medium.
Hemingway
C A
CA
Department of Oral and Dental Science, University of Bristol, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY.
Parker
D M
DM
Addy
M
M
Barbour
M E
ME
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003747:Dental Enamel Solubility; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008963:Molar; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014072:Tooth Abrasion / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000009:adverse effects