Laboratory Studies on the Dental Effects of Soft Drinks and Other Beverages Sarah Story Undergraduate in Pre-Dentistry Biology Department Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, TN Date: March 1, 2006

Project Summary:  Problem: Which beverage has the most erosive effect on dental enamel?

The drinks I will be using:

Introduction: A high percentage of people consume soft drinks that contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and various additives. The popularity of sports (energy) drinks is growing and this study compares enamel dissolution in these and a variety of other beverages. Enamel from extracted specimens were selected, weighed and immersed in the selected beverages for a total of 7 days. The specimens were weighed at specific intervals throughout the immersion period with the solutions being changed daily. A high percentage of people consume soft drinks that contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and various additives. The popularity of sports (energy) drinks is growing and this study compares enamel dissolution in these and a variety of other beverages. Enamel from extracted specimens were selected, weighed and immersed in the selected beverages for a total of 7 days. The specimens were weighed at specific intervals throughout the immersion period with the solutions being changed daily. Enamel dissolution occurred in all of the tested beverages, with far greater attack occurring in flavored and energy (sports) drinks than previously noted for water and cola drinks. Non-cola drinks, commercial lemonades, and energy sports drinks showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on the dental enamel. Reduced residence times of beverages in the mouth by salivary clearance or rinsing would appear to be beneficial. (Von Fraunhofer, 2005) Enamel dissolution occurred in all of the tested beverages, with far greater attack occurring in flavored and energy (sports) drinks than previously noted for water and cola drinks. Non-cola drinks, commercial lemonades, and energy sports drinks showed the most aggressive dissolution effect on the dental enamel. Reduced residence times of beverages in the mouth by salivary clearance or rinsing would appear to be beneficial. (Von Fraunhofer, 2005)

Keywords:  Dental Erosion  Dental Enamel  Dental Health  Soft Drinks  Sports Drinks  Energy Drinks  Non-Cola Drinks.

Continued… Objective: The objective of my study is to determine which beverage has the most erosive effect on dental enamel. Objective: The objective of my study is to determine which beverage has the most erosive effect on dental enamel. Hypothesis: In meeting my objective, I will test my hypothesis that non-cola and energy drinks will have the most erosive effect on dental enamel. Hypothesis: In meeting my objective, I will test my hypothesis that non-cola and energy drinks will have the most erosive effect on dental enamel. Null Hypothesis: In meeting my objective, I will test the hypothesis that the erosion on the enamel will be the same for all beverages tested. Null Hypothesis: In meeting my objective, I will test the hypothesis that the erosion on the enamel will be the same for all beverages tested.

Methods and Materials The test teeth are sound (caries free) human molars and premolars that had been extracted for orthodontic or periodontal reasons. After sterilization in an autoclave each specimen will be dried and weighed to 0.01 mg. All studies will be preformed at room temperature. The test beverages and test specimens will be placed in plastic containers with 5 mL of the test beverage. The specimens will be allowed to soak in the test beverage for 60 minutes each and then allowed to dry until for 24 hours and then weighed. This process will be preformed over 24 hour intervals for a 7 day (168 hour) period. The beverages for each specimen will be replaced daily with fresh solution after each weighing. Mean percentage weight losses and weight losses per unit area will be calculated for each set if enamel specimens.

Data Form Data Form For a Two Week Period

Expected Benefits and Results For this experiment, I expect that all the beverages will have a significant impact on dental erosion. I believe that the non-cola and sports drinks will have the greatest effect on enamel in the tested specimens.For this experiment, I expect that all the beverages will have a significant impact on dental erosion. I believe that the non-cola and sports drinks will have the greatest effect on enamel in the tested specimens. One of the benefits that this research offers is to increase public awareness on the effects of certain beverages in regard to dental erosion. With this information people may take their dental health into better consideration.One of the benefits that this research offers is to increase public awareness on the effects of certain beverages in regard to dental erosion. With this information people may take their dental health into better consideration.

Project Timeline Project Timeline Over the course of the semester

Literature Cited Al-Dlaigan, Y.H., L. Shaw, and A. Smith Dental Erosion in a group of British 14-year-old school children Part II: Influence of Dietary Intake. British Dental Journal. 190: No. 5. Dawes, Colin. December What Is the Critical pH and Why Does a Tooth Dissolve in Acid. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association 69: No.11. Edwards, M., S.L. Creanor, R.H. Foye, W.H. Gilmour Buffering capacities of soft drinks: the potential influence of dental erosion. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 26: Grenby, T.H., A. Phillips, T. Desai, and M. Mistry Laboratory studies of the dental properties of soft drinks. British Journal of Nutrition 62: Mathew, Tanya, Paul S. Casamassimo, and John R. Hayes Relationship between Sports Drinks and Dental Erosion in 304 University Athletes in Columbis, Ohio, USA. Caries Research 36: Oginni, Adeleke O., Elugwaraonu A. Agbakwuru, and Dennis A. Ndububa The Prevalence of dental erosion in Nigerian patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease. BMC Oral Health 5: 1. Shipley, Samantha, Kelly Taylor, and William Mitchell Identifying causes of dental erosion. General Dentistry January/February: Sirimaharaj, V., L. Brearley Messer, and M.V. Morgan Acidic diet and dental erosion among athletes. Australian Dental Journal 47:(3): Von Fraunhofer, Anthony J., Matthew M. Rogers Effects of sports drinks and other beverages on dental enamel. General Dentistry January/February: Von Fraunhofer, Anthony J., Matthew M. Rogers Dissolution of dental enamel in soft drinks. General Dentistry July/August: Yip, Kevin H-K., Roger J. Smales, and John. A. Kaidonis The diagnosis and control of extrinsic acid erosion of tooth substance. General Dentistry July/August:

Proposed Budget for One Year Category Salaries & Wages First Year Second Year First Year Second Year Professional…………………$ 60,000 $ 60,000 Professional…………………$ 60,000 $ 60,000 Technician…………………..$ 35,000 $ 35,000 Technician…………………..$ 35,000 $ 35,000 Secretarial…………………...$ 25,000 $ 25,000 Secretarial…………………...$ 25,000 $ 25,000 Graduate Student(2…………$ 9,600 $ 9,600 Graduate Student(2…………$ 9,600 $ 9,600 Student Hourly……………...$ 8 $ 8 Student Hourly……………...$ 8 $ 8 Subtotal……………………..$ 139,200 $ 139,200 Subtotal……………………..$ 139,200 $ 139,200 Benefits………………..……$ 10,000 $ 10,000 Benefits………………..……$ 10,000 $ 10,000 Travel……………………… $ 500 $ 500 Travel……………………… $ 500 $ 500 Non-Expendables…………. $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Non-Expendables…………. $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Expendables………………...$ 1,000 $ 1,000 Expendables………………...$ 1,000 $ 1,000 Computer…………………...$ 1,000 $ 1,000 Computer…………………...$ 1,000 $ 1,000 Supplies & Expenses………..$ 2,000 $ 2,000 Supplies & Expenses………..$ 2,000 $ 2,000 Copying & Telephone...……. $ 500 $ 500 Copying & Telephone...……. $ 500 $ 500 Tuition & Fees……………... $ 200 $ 200 Tuition & Fees……………... $ 200 $ 200 Subtotal……………………. $ 16,200 $ 16,200 Subtotal……………………. $ 16,200 $ 16,200 Total Direct Costs………… $139,200 $ 139,200 Total Direct Costs………… $139,200 $ 139,200 Indirect Costs……………... $ 16,200 $ 16,200 Indirect Costs……………... $ 16,200 $ 16,200 Total Costs…………………$ 155,400 $ 155,400 Total Costs…………………$ 155,400 $ 155,400