Evaluation of the Potential of Commercial Vitamin Drinks to Induce Tooth Erosion

Abstract

Background: The market for vitamin drinks is expanding both in Korea and worldwide. However, it was difficult to find studies regarding the possibility of tooth erosion induction due to vitamin drinks. The purpose of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of tooth erosion caused by a few commercial vitamin beverages on bovine teeth enamel in terms of erosion depth and fluorescence loss. Methods: Three experimental groups (vitamin drinks), a positive control group (Coca-Cola), and a negative control group (mineral water) were established. Each group consisted of 5 specimens obtained from sound bovine teeth. The pH and titratable acidity of beverages were measured. Specimens were immersed in the beverages and artificial saliva for 6 and 18 hours, respectively. This cycle was repeated for 5 days. The depth of the tooth loss caused by tooth erosion (erosion depth) and maximum loss of fluorescence (Max ΔF) were measured using the microscope and quantified light-induced fluorescence-digital, respectively. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA were used to compare the erosion depth and Max ΔF of the enamel surfaces. In addition, Spearman correlations were estimated. Results: The pH of the three vitamin beverages ranged from 2.65 to 3.01, which is similar to that of the positive control group. All beverages, except mineral water, had sugar and acidic ingredients. Vitamin drinks and the positive control, Coca-Cola, caused tooth erosion lesions, and showed significant differences in erosion depth compared to mineral water (p＜0.05). The vitamin beverages with low pH were associated with high erosion depth and Max ΔF. Conclusion: Vitamin drinks have the potential to cause tooth erosion.

Erosive potential of vitamin waters, herbal drinks, carbonated soft drinks, and fruit juices on human teeth: An in vitro investigation

“…The findings are consistent with previous studies that found high acidity of carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices and reported that prolonged exposure to these drinks leads to the dissolution and loss of dental hard tissues. 20,35,38 Additionally, a few studies have reported that most commercially available vitamin water products are acidic, 17,26,27 similar to our results, which identified the tested vitamin waters and herbal beverages as acidic.…”

“…While vitamin waters and herbal drinks have been marketed as functional drinks for health and have increasingly gained popularity, the impact of these products on dental erosion has rarely been investigated. [15][16][17]41 This study showed the erosive potential of vitamin waters and herbal beverages, indicating that long-term exposure to these drinks can cause dissolution and loss of tooth minerals. This study found that most of the tested drinks were acidic; moreover, it illustrated the erosive potential of vitamin waters, herbal drinks, carbonated soft drinks, and fruit juices.…”

“…12,13 However, while vitamin waters and herbal beverages are promoted as having health benefits due to their ingredients consisting of vitamins, antioxidants, and herbal ingredients with natural origin and are good for physical health, 14 the erosive effects of these drinks on human teeth are rarely mentioned. [15][16][17] Therefore, we aimed to investigate and compare the erosive impact of vitamin waters, herbal beverages, carbonated soft drinks, and fruit juices on human dental hard tissue.…”

Are Vitamin Beverages Good for Dental Health?

“…Furthermore, the intake frequency of vitamin beverages has been reported to be relatively high (2∼3 times per week [19.9%] for 2∼3 weeks per month [25.5%]) 4) . Although the vitamin beverage market and consumer demand continue to increase, there is a lack of consumer awareness and consideration about the effects of these beverages on health 5) . A survey reported that a high proportion (approximately 32.9%) of the food ingredient labels of vitamin beverages are not being read by consumers 4) .…”