title: Experimental study of iron and multivitamin drops on enamel microhardness of primary tooth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Iron and multivitamin drops are being frequently prescribed in children less than 2 years of age. Due to their low pH levels, these drops may lead to the softening of enamel and accelerate the destructive process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the enamel microhardness of primary teeth after exposing them to iron and multivitamin drops.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty healthy anterior teeth were randomly divided into four groups of 10 samples each. Samples were exposed to two iron drops of Kharazmi (Iran) and Ironorm (UK) and two multivitamin drops of Shahdarou (Iran) and Eurovit (Germany) for 5 min. The surface microhardness was measured before and after exposure and data processing was done using statistical paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. The surface structure of the teeth was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all groups, microhardness was decreased, but it was not significant in Eurovit multivitamin group (P = 0.088). The reduction rate in Kharazmi iron group was significant compared to that in other groups (P < 0.005). Hardness reduction percent for Kharazmi iron drop was 28/12 ± 47/43. In SEM analysis, irregular granular appearance was observed in the enamel exposed to Kharazmi iron drop.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that all the studied drugs have the potential to cause erosion; this potential is the most in Kharazmi iron drop and the least in Eurovit multivitamin drops. Therefore, after using these kinds of drops, preventive measures should be used in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Nilgoon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pasdar
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Homayoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alaghehmand
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Fattane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mottaghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tavassoli
keywords: Dental erosion; iron drops; microhardness; multivitamin drops; primary teeth enamel