Effects of Carbonated Cola Beverages, Sports and Energy Drinks and Orange Juice on Primary and Permanent Enamel Dissolution

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of carbonated soft drinks, sports and energy beverages, orange juice, and tap water on primary and permanent enamel specimens, measuring mean percentage weight loss. Beverages used in this study included: Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Gatorade sports drink, Minute Maid Pure Premium Orange Juice, Red Bull energy drink, and tap water (control). Extracted primary and permanent teeth sectioned into uniform slabs. Twelve primary and 30 permanent enamel specimens were randomly distributed to six beverage groups. The specimens were immersed in each beverage for 24-hour intervals for a 10-day period at 37°C. Specimens were thereafter weighed following each immersion period, with mean percent weight losses calculated per beverage group. The pH and titratable acidity was also determined for each beverage. Enamel weight loss data was subjected to statistical analysis at p<0.05 level of significance. Primary and permanent enamel specimens immersed in Red Bull and Gatorade showed the greatest mean percent weight loss. Percent weight loss of both primary and permanent specimens showed linear progression with time. The findings indicate that energy and sports drinks, displayed significantly greater percent mean weight losses of the primary and permanent enamel (dentin) specimens. These results suggest that intake of these beverages cause enamel dissolution with an accompanying clinical diagnosis of dental erosion. Caution should be exercised in the excessive consumption of these beverages, especially by children and adolescents.