title: Carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks exhibit risks for human enamel surface loss.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this investigation was to give insights into the impact of carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks on the likely capacity of enamel surface dissolution and the influence of human saliva exposure as a biological protective factor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pH, titratable acidity (TA) to pH 7.0, and buffer capacity (β) of common beverages ingested by patients under physical activity were analyzed. Then, we randomly distributed 50 specimens of human enamel into 5 groups. Processed and natural coconut water served as controls for testing three carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks. In all specimens, we measured surface microhardness (Knoop hardness numbers) and enamel loss (profilometry, µm) for baseline and after simulated intake cycling exposure model. We also prepared areas of specimens to be exposed to human saliva overnight prior to the simulated intake cycling exposure. The cycles were performed by alternated immersions in beverages and artificial saliva. ANOVA two-way and Tukey HDS tests were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The range of pH, TA, and β were 2.85 - 4.81, 8.33 - 46.66 mM/L and 3.48 - 10.25 mM/L × pH, respectively. The highest capacity of enamel surface dissolution was found for commercially available sports drinks for all variables. Single time human saliva exposure failed to significantly promote protective effect for the acidic attack of beverages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks usually consumed during endurance training may have a greater capacity of dissolution of enamel surface depending on their physicochemical proprieties associated with pH and titratable acidity.
authors.affiliation: Operative Dentistry Division, Department of General Dentistry, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Anne Sampaio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-0007-2966
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Melo
authors.affiliation: Division of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Fortaleza, Edson Queiroz Foundation, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanara Florêncio
authors.initials: VF
authors.lastname: Passos
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Centro Universitário Christus - Unichristus, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Paiva Marques
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Lima
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Dentistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lidiany Karla Azevedo
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
keywords: Carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks; Dental enamel; Dental erosion; Profilometry; Surface microhardness