An In - Vitro study on the effect of Iranian soft drinks on enamel microhardness of primary teeth

An In - Vitro study on the effect of Iranian soft drinks on enamel microhardness of primary teeth Dr. B. Ajami* - Dr. M. Ebrahimi** - Dr. S. Karbasi*** *- Associate Professor of Pedodontics Dept. – Faculty of Dentistry – Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. **- Assistant Professor of Pedodontics Dept. – Faculty of Dentistry – Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. ***- Dentist. Background and Aim: Diet is the most important etiologic factor in dental erosion. Erosion of dietary origin in children is frequently related to carbonated drinks and acidic foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of some acidic soft drinks on enamel micro-hardness of primary teeth. Materials and Methods: This interventional in vitro study was performed on 40 healthy deciduous teeth. Enamel blocks were prepared and were polished on their external surfaces using water and sand paper. The baseline hardness was measured using Vickers microhardness measuring apparatus. The enamel blocks were then immersed in 20cc Coca Cola, Zam Zam, Pepsi and Ab-Ali yoghurt-drink for 5 minutes and their microhardness was assessed. The data were analyzed using co-variance and paired sample t-tests. Results: The baseline hardness in primary teeth, was 378.4 31.65 (kg/mm2) for Coca Cola, 373.57 30.31 (kg/mm2) for Zam Zam, 378.38 21.92 (kg/mm2) for Pepsi and 385.43 34.79(kg/mm2) for Ab-Ali yoghurt-drink, before being placed in the experimental soft drinks. After immersion (second hardness), these values decreased to 333.02 32.15 (kg/mm2), 339.65 20.91 (kg/mm2), 342.27 28.01 (kg/mm2) and 341.46 32.34 (kg/mm2) for Coca Cola, Zam Zam, Pepsi and Ab-Ali yoghurt soft drinks, respectively. The reduction in microhardness was statistically significant for each of the tested soft drinks but a statistically significant difference was not observed between the study groups. Conclusion: The intake of soft drinks such as Coca Cola, Zam Zam, Pepsi and Ab-Ali yoghurt-drink can reduce enamel microhardness in primary teeth. Key words: Soft drinks - Dental erosion - Microhardness - Primary teeth