Erosive potential of beverages sold in Australian schools.
BACKGROUND
Dental erosion is an increasingly prevalent problem in Australia. The aim of this study was to analyse the composition and erosive potential of beverages sold for consumption in Victorian schools.


METHODS
Fifteen drinks were selected and analysed to determine their pH, titratable acidity and ionic composition (calcium, fluoride and inorganic phosphate). The erosive potential of the beverages was measured by analysing weight loss, surface loss and the release of calcium ions from human enamel following a 30-minute or 24-hour exposure. The association of the chemical parameters with the measures of erosion was determined using Spearman's rank correlation.


RESULTS
All beverages tested except the milks and the bottled water produced significant dental erosion in vitro. The only chemical parameter that correlated significantly with all measures of erosion was the initial pH of the beverage (p < 0.01). Levels of fluoride similar to those of Australian reticulated water were found in the carbonated beverages.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of the tested beverages sold from school canteens exhibited erosive potential.
Cochrane
N J
NJ
Centre for Oral Health Science, Melbourne Dental School, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria.
Cai
F
F
Yuan
Y
Y
Reynolds
E C
EC
D001315:Australia; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D003747:Dental Enamel Solubility; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D012572:School Health Services; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000139:chemically induced*
D010710:Phosphates; D005459:Fluorides; D002118:Calcium