IADR Abstract Archives

The Erosive Potential of Acidic Candies in Human Saliva

Objectives: The aims of the study were to evaluate the erosive potential of acidic candies in dental enamel and determine its influence on the pH and buffering capacity of saliva. Methods: 21 types of candies were purchased at local grocery stores. Three healthy volunteers sucked each candy for 5 minutes while spitting into a covered and chilled vial. The pH and the titratable acidity of the saliva were measured. 330 human enamel blocks were randomly assigned to 21 candy groups and one baseline (saliva without candy intake) group (15 blocks/group). The enamel blocks were exposed to their respective collected saliva for 2 hours. Erosion was measured using non-contact optical profilometry and microhardness tester. ANOVA followed by Tukey test, paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis were carried out. Results: All candies lowered the saliva pH from the mean baseline 7.53 to below 5.5. However, when compared with baseline saliva, only 5 out of 21 candies caused statistically significant depth of substance loss (DSL) (p<0.05), and 20 out of 21 caused significant change in surface microhardness (%SMHC) (p<0.01) of enamel. Initial pH (saliva with candy intake) correlated significantly with DSL (r=-0.571, p=0.005) and %SMHC (r=-0.879, p=0.000). However, only %SMHC (and not DSL) correlated significantly with amount (mmol/l) of NaOH required to raise initial pH to 5.5 (r=0.450, p=0.035) and 7.0 (r=0.457, p=0.032) (titratable acidity). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that even with saliva buffering effect, acidic candies lowered saliva pH below the critical pH for enamel dissolution, and proved to be erosive to tooth tissue.

 


Division: IADR/AADR/CADR General Session
Meeting: 2013 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session (Seattle, Washington)
Location: Seattle, Washington
Year: 2013
Final Presentation ID: 10
Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s): Cariology Research - Erosion
Authors
  • Ghazvini, Aida  ( University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA )
  • Oliveira, Andressa  ( Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa-PB, N/A, Brazil )
  • Ccahuana Vásquez, Renzo  ( University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA )
  • Okoye, Linda Oge  ( University of Nigeria - Enugu Campus, Enugu State, N/A, Nigeria )
  • Amaechi, Bennett T.  ( University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA )
  • SESSION INFORMATION
    Oral Session
    Dental Erosion-Abrasion [CLINICIAN TRACK]
    03/20/2013