The erosive potential of two commercially available soft candies

Objectives: The aim of this in-vitro study was to evaluate and compare the erosive potential of two sour soft candies on human enamel. Additionally, the effect of human saliva compared to water was tested concerning its influence on the erosive effect of the two sour soft candies. Methods: 120 bovine teeth were divided among eight groups (n=15). The samples were de-/remineralised during three cycles (5 minutes demineralisation, 2 minutes remineralisation in human saliva). For the demineralisation two different soft candies (“Haribo Saure Bohnen” (HSB) and Look-O-Look Strawberry stripes (LSS)), 0,1 M citric acid (positive control) and a negative control were used. The candies were smashed and diluted in human saliva or distilled water. After the de-/remineralisation cycles, the samples were stored in human saliva for 8 hours. Knoop microhardness measurements took place before the treatment, after each de-/remineralisation cycle and after the 8 hours storage in human saliva. Results: Both soft candies reduced significantly the microhardness of the enamel samples (p<0.05). The kind of the solution used for the dilution of the products had a significant effect on their erosive potential (p<0.05). LSS resulted in a 62% reduction of initial microhardness. HSB reduced microhardness by 40% when the human saliva was used for the dilution and 55% when the product was diluted in water. Storage in human saliva for 8 hours increased significantly the microhardness of the samples treated with HSB or citric acid (p<0.05), but the initial values were not obtained. Conclusions: Both soft candies have a very strong erosive effect on the human enamel. Human saliva exerts a significant influence on the erosive potential of the products. Consequently, in-vitro experiments regarding erosive potential of dietary compounds should be performed with saliva rather than with water.