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Beverages & Oral Health
Dental Erosion Study Not Applicable To Real Life Situations; Scientific Evidence On Multiple Causes And Protective Factors Ignored
Contact: Kathleen Dezio
(202) 463-6772
WASHINGTON, D.C.—A pilot study to be published in the July/August issue of General Dentistry claiming soft drinks, especially non-colas and iced teas, cause loss of tooth enamel and dental erosion used a dated and unrealistic technique, and its findings cannot be extrapolated to real life situations, according to the National Soft Drink Association.
In the study, a University of Maryland researcher sectioned the enamel walls from 20 test teeth into blocks and soaked them in various beverages for 14 days straight, after which enamel loss was measured.
“The experimental design of this study was elementary and archaic and did not mirror reality,” said Dr. Richard Adamson, NSDA vice president for scientific and technical affairs. “Nobody retains any kind of liquid in the mouth 24-hours-a-day for 14 days in a row as this study did. The findings simply cannot be applied to real life situations in which people eating and drinking habits are very different and many protective factors are at work.”
There is no single cause of dental erosion, and there are numerous factors that can contribute to it besides various foods and beverages, such as some chewable medicines and chewable Vitamin C tablets, various gastrointestinal problems individuals may have, work in certain occupations, some oral hygiene products, and chlorinated swimming pools. Individual susceptibility to dental erosion varies depending on a person’s behavior, lifestyle, diet, and genetic make-up.
One important factor in dental erosion and caries is the length of time foods are retained in the mouth. Sticky foods like granola bars or raisins that stay in the mouth longer and cling to the teeth can be a significant source of dental cavities. In contrast, liquids such as fruit juices and soft drinks clear the mouth quickly and are less likely to result in dental erosion. The experimental design of this study set up an unrealistic situation in which teeth remained immersed in beverages for 14 days.
Although the study also referenced an increase in soft drink consumption, it failed to note that despite that increase, general dental health has improved due to many factors, including better oral hygiene, water fluoridation, and frequent dental check-ups.
There are numerous biological and behavioral factors that can help protect against dental erosion. These include saliva, which has both diluting and buffering effects; intake of calcium, phosphate, and possibly fluoride; and good oral hygiene. The shape, contour, and composition of teeth in relation to drinking and swallowing patterns are also important factors. Routine dental polishing as part of a regular check-up and overzealous oral hygiene practices may increase the susceptibility to erosion because they can remove the fluoride-rich surface layer and increase enamel solubility.
“The facts demonstrate that there are multiple causes of dental erosion and many protective factors that can help prevent or minimize it. It is irresponsible to blame, foods, beverages, or any other single factor for enamel loss and tooth decay,” Adamson said.
The National Soft Drink Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.