Oral Temperature Changes Following Intake Of Hot food Or Beverage

Introduction: It was observed that some individuals have the habit of consuming extremely hot beverages. It is known that high temperatures may cause irreversible damage to human organs. Therefore, the intake of hot substances that cause a rise in temperature, have the potential of damaging normal soft tissues, as well as tissues undergoing repair or healing. Objectives: The aim of this clinical study was to measure temperature changes in the oral cavity following the intake of hot food and beverage. Methods: Thermocouple electrodes, linked to a computer with data recording and analysis software, were attached to the tooth-gum interface in the inter-proximal areas in 14 volunteers. Temperature changes were measured in the upper incisor, lower incisor, upper pre-molar and lower molar areas. Volunteers were asked to eat a potato and to drink tea heated up to 90ºC. Results: The highest temperature, 76.3ºC, for tea intake, was measured in the lower incisor group, as was the average maximum temperature. The highest temperature, for potato consumption, 53.6ºC, was measured in the upper incisor group. The average maximum temperature measured for potato intake was in the lower molar group. The temperature maintained for the longest period of time, above 42ºC, was observed in the lower molars: during drinking tea – for 13 min., during ingestion of potatoes - for 4 min. Conclusion: The intake of hot food and beverages produces high temperatures in the gum-tooth interface that could affect oral tissues health.