Effect of Carbonated Beverages, Coffee, Sports and High Energy Drinks, and Bottled Water on the in vitro Erosion Characteristics of Dental Enamel
Michael Kitchens / Barry M. Owens

Purpose:This study evaluated the effect of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages,bottled and tap water,on the erosive potential of dental enamel with and without fluoride varnish protection. Materials and Methods:Beverages used in this study included: Coca Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Gatorade sports drink, Red Bull high-energy drink, Starbucks Frappuccino coffee drink, Dasani water (bottled), and tap water (control). Enamel surfaces were coated with Cavity Shield 5% sodium fluoride treatment varnish. Twenty-eight previously extracted human posterior teeth free of hypocalcification and caries were used in this study. The coronal portion of each tooth was removed and then sectioned transverse from the buccal to lingual surface using a diamond coated saw blade. The crown sections were embedded in acrylic resin blocks leaving the enamel surfaces exposed. The enamel surfaces were polished using 600 to 2000 grit abrasive paper and diamond paste. Test specimens were randomly distributed to seven beverage groups and comprised 4 specimens per group. Two specimens per beverage group were treated with a fluoride varnish while 2 specimens did not receive fluoride coating. Surface roughness (profilometer) readings were performed at baseline (prior to fluoride treatment and immersion in the beverage) and again, following immersion for 14 days (24 hours/day). The test beverages were changed daily and the enamel specimens were immersed at 37°C. Surface roughness data was evaluated using multiple factor ANOVA at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Results showed that Coca-Cola Classic, Gatorade and Red Bull with/without fluoride revealed the highest post-treatment surface roughness measurements. Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Gatorade, and Red Bull all showed significantly higher post treatment readings than StarBucks coffee,Dasani water,and tap water. Fluoride varnish was not a significant impact factor; however,beverage (type) and exposure time were significant impact variables.

Conclusion: Both carbonated and non-carbonated beverages displayed a significant erosive effect on dental enamel; however, fluoride varnish treatments did not demonstrate a significant protective influence on enamel surfaces.
Key words:dental enamel, erosion, profilometer, enamel roughness, carbonated beverages, high energy drink, coffee