The effect of aspartame and pH changes on the erosive potential of cola drinks in bovine enamel: an in vitro study

• Daniela Rios ^[1] ; Franciny-Querobim Ionta ^[1] ; Rafael Rebelato ^[1] ; Maisa-Camillo Jordão ^[1] ; Linda Wang ^[2] ; Ana-Carolina Magalhães ^[1] ; Heitor-Marques Honório ^[1]
  1. [1] Departments of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health
  2. [2] Departments of Restorative Dentistry, Endodontics and Dental Materials
• Localización: Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, ISSN-e 1989-5488, Vol. 10, Nº. 9 (September ), 2018, págs. 933-937
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism behind the different erosive potential of regular and light cola drinks: pH difference and/or aspartame presence.

    Sixty bovine enamel blocks were randomly divided into 5 groups: RC - regular cola, RCpH - addition of base to increase regular cola pH, RCAS - addition of aspartame to regular cola, LC - light cola, and LCpH - addition of acid to decrease light cola pH. Two-thirds of the blocks surface was coated with nail varnish for reference. The samples were daily subjected to four erosive challenges for 2 minutes. Between the erosive challenges (2h) and overnight the samples were maintained in artificial saliva. The response variable was the percentage surface hardness change (%SHC) after 1st experimental day and enamel surface loss (µm) measured at the 5th day by profilometry. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p<0.05).

    Independently of the cola modifications, all groups promoted similar hardness change of enamel surface. RC promoted higher enamel loss (6.69±0.71µm) than LC (4.80±0.77µm). The acid addition to light cola (LCpH: 6.60±1.78µm) significantly enhanced its erosive potential, which did not differ from RC. The base addition to regular cola (RCpH-4.00±0.64µm) resulted in similar wear to LC. The addition of aspartame to the regular cola (RCAS 5.44±0.65µm) resulted in similar wear to LC and RC.

    The data suggest that the pH alteration has a major impact on the erosive potential of cola drinks, however, the sweetener also has some influence.