Sugar-free drinks and lollies cause dental erosion
The Oral Health CRC has made an announcement set to rock the sugar-free food and beverage industry worldwide. Their Melbourne-based scientists have warned that regular consumption of most sugar-free drinks and confectionary can cause significant loss of tooth enamel – leading to dental erosion.
Dental erosion occurs when acid strips away the enamel and hard tissue of the tooth. In advanced stages, the soft pulp inside the tooth become exposed.
Considered the healthier alternative, sugar-free substitutes and products can have positive health effects for reducing the risk of diabetes, obesity and dental decay. However, with the substitution of artificial sweeteners, your teeth are exposed to chemicals with high levels of citrates, tartrates and phosphoric or citric acid. The highly acidic (low-PH) levels of these chemicals cause significant enamel surface softening and loss.
But it doesn’t end there. All of these chemical compounds are also chelators of calcium. This means they bind to calcium resulting in tooth demineralisation. In short, your teeth dissolve.
In their study at the University of Melbourne’s Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), researchers tested a large variety of sugar-free drinks and confectionary on extracted human molar teeth.
The erosive potential of each sugar-free beverage was measured by changes in enamel hardness values. The study found that the majority of sugar-free drinks caused a decrease of 30% – 50% in enamel hardness. In fact, the researchers found there was no significant difference between the two groups of drinks regarding tooth enamel loss.
With sugar-free confectionary, tests were also conducted on adult volunteers. The study measured a PH drop in the saliva of all test subjects. The researchers have advised avoiding all fruit-flavoured sugar-free confections, especially lemon-flavoured – which had high levels of citrates.
On an alarming note, the study also found that the Toothfriendly International logo and “Sugar free for healthy teeth” tagline was found on 11 of the 32 tested confections. University of Melbourne’s Oral Health CRC chief executive, Professor Eric Reynolds, is concerned that parents are buying sugar-free confectionary, believing them to be the healthier option for their children’s dental health.
Current product testing and labelling regulations for sugar-free foods and beverages are now under review.
Professor Reynolds suggests the best choice of beverage to give you and your children’s teeth the best chance is…(you guessed it)…water.
And for a healthier sweet treat, eat fruit.
For more tips on preventing tooth erosion from sugar-free products from Professor Reynolds, visit:
http://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/why-those-sugar-free-products-damage-your-teeth
To read an online briefing paper titled “The potential of sugar-free beverages, sugar-free confectionery and sports drinks to cause dental erosion” published by the Oral Health CRC, visit:
http://www.oralhealthcrc.org.au/sites/default/files/Dental%20Erosion%20Briefing%20Paper_FINAL2015.pdf
Leeming Dental Blog
- The highest risk factors for tooth decay in children
- Composite bonding / veneers / edge bonding – the conservative tooth repair solution
- How does the oral mucosa protect you from viruses and bacteria?
- Composite bonding/veneers/edge bonding – the conservative tooth repair solution
- White dental fillings – CEREC porcelain vs composite resin
- Best cleaning tools to remove plaque in infants & toddlers (3 months-3 years)
- Buying my child’s first toothbrush – toothbrushes for infants & toddlers
- CDBS 2022-2023 Dental Treatment Schedule
- Gum disease sets off Alzheimer’s biomarkers in cognitively healthy adults
- The 4 major ways oral health is linked to general health
- Are AI dental checkups the next best thing to an actual dentist?
- The best ways to improve your probiotic oral bacteria
- 10 health benefits of having a probiotic oral microbiome
- Why are healthy gums so important for a healthy heart
- Why do you need retainers after teeth straightening?
- New studies show gum disease may increase severity of COVID-19
- How aesthetic dentistry can give you a healthier smile makeover
- CEREC crowns
- What are the benefits of good tongue posture?
- The oral bacteria that destroy your brain’s nerve cells
- Can oral bacteria cause Alzheimer’s disease?
- WARNING – Smoking damages your oral health!
- Straight teeth can improve your oral health
- Foods and drinks that stain your teeth
- World Oral Health Day 2018 – Your mouth is a mirror to your body
- Australian child oral health habits in 2018
- Foods and drinks to avoid if you have tooth sensitivity
- The importance of good oral health for teens
- Tips for a healthy and beautiful smile
- Sleep better and wake up refreshed with a mandibular advancement device (MAD)!
- CEREC crowns – one hour, one visit!
- Achieving a great smile with veneers, bonding and contouring
- Interdental brushes more effective than flossing
- Oral health education alone for kids is not enough
- The effects of diabetes on oral health
- Gum disease linked to faster cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients
- Dedicate a daffodil on Daffodil Day this year
- Modern dentistry gears up for the digital age
- Does your child have a dental home?
- Child Dental Benefit Schedule still open for business
- Dentists to join the fight against heart disease?
- What serious health conditions are linked to your oral health?
- Preventing Dental Emergencies
- 3D-printed teeth kill 99% of oral bacteria instantly – before brushing
- Sugar-free drinks and lollies cause dental erosion
- German researchers give thumbs up for Invisalign®…over braces!
- Children’s Dentistry
- Restore Missing Teeth
- 5 tips to brighter smiles