[Lifestyle, nutrition and oral health]. / Leefstijl, voeding en mondgezondheid.

Diet and nutrition play a fundamental role in general health and oral health in children and adults. Dietary guidelines have been developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for populations promoting a diet that meets the best nutritional requirements and prevents diet-related diseases such as overweight, obesity, diabetes and dental caries. Lifestyle and dietary habits are strongly influenced by the (social) media and the products on offer in the supermarkets. Knowledge of the field of the development of foodstuffs and lifestyle trends contributes to effective, appropriate and individualised advice for a healthy mouth in children. Sugar-free flavoured waters with aroma are a good alternative to fizzy drinks, they are tooth friendly and promote a healthy weight.

[(Erosive) tooth wear in children and adolescents in the Netherlands: how big is the problem?] / (Erosieve) gebitsslijtage bij jeugdigen in Nederland: hoe groot is het probleem?

According to international research, the prevalence of (erosive) tooth wear among children and adolescents has grown steadily in recent decades. The question was whether this also applies to the Netherlands and what changes in consumption patterns may play a role in this development. From 1998 up to and including 2011, 9 studies have been carried out on the prevalence of (erosive) tooth wear among the young. A meta-analysis of these studies reveals that an increase has also taken place in the Netherlands. Furthermore, a tendency was found for greater prevalence with increasing age. It is generally assumed that changes in the supply of food and drink and therefore consumption patterns have been a major reason for this increase in children and adolescents. However, longitudinal studies, in which both the prevalence and incidence of (erosive) tooth wear are investigated, are needed to support these assumptions. Such studies are, however, scarce and, moreover, the results show no consistent picture.

[(Con)natal teeth: a role for maternity care and dental care]. / (Con)natale gebitselementen: een rol voor kraamzorg en tandheelkundige zorg.

A baby was referred to a dentist by an obstetrician 18 days after birth in connection with the presence of 2 teeth in the mandibula which resembled incisors. It appeared to be a case of 2 (con)natal teeth with a high degree of mobility. Dental treatment in the form of 2 extractions was necessary.

[Risks associated with erosive beverages in secondary school canteens in the Netherlands]. / Risico van erosie door dranken in schoolkantines.

The consumption of acidic beverages may cause dental erosion. The consumption of such beverages during school hours may contribute to the development of erosion. In order to study the extent to which children of secondary schools are exposed to potentially erosive beverages, 43 locations in 37 schools in the Netherlands were visited. In each school, all available types of beverages were registered and classified as non-erosive or potentially erosive. In addition, the number of students, type of school, opening times of the canteens and the number of vending machines were recorded. It was revealed that a wide variety of beverages is available in school canteens, of which a large number are potentially erosive (71.8 +/- 12.9%). The number of different products available, the number of different beverages available and the number of potentially erosive drinks all correlated with the number of students per school, but not with the type of education. The number of drinks available and the number of potentially erosive drinks correlated with the opening hours of the canteens and the number of vending machines.

[Unhealthy weight loss. Erosion by apple cider vinegar]. / Ongezond afslanken. Erosie door appelazijn.

Erosive tooth wear was diagnosed in the dentition of a 15-year-old girl with a Moroccan background. After an anamnesis, extensive analysis of possible risk factors and a study of the pattern of erosion, it was concluded that the erosive tooth wear was induced by daily consumption of a glass of apple cider vinegar Further investigation revealed that in North-African culture, women have used apple cider vinegar to achieve weight loss for generations. Bodybuilders are also known to make use of this method of weight reduction.

The erosive potential of jawbreakers, a type of hard candy.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the consumption pattern of a specific type of acidic solid candy, the so-called jawbreakers, by primary school children and determine the erosive potential of this type of candy in vivo. METHODS: A questionnaire about jawbreaker consumption was distributed among 10-12 year-old-children (n = 302). Subsequently, 19 healthy volunteers tested four different jawbreakers in vivo. Whole saliva was collected 5 min before, 3 min during and 11 min after consumption. Salivary flow rate and pH were determined. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the children reported a history of jawbreaker consumption, 18% during the last week. More than half of the children estimated their average time for consumption of one jawbreaker to be more than 15 min. In vivo, the jawbreakers induced 8.6-13.9-fold increase in salivary flow rate. Sucking on sour, jumbo and strawberry jawbreakers induced a drop in salivary pH to values below pH 5.5. During consumption of fireball jawbreakers, the intra-oral pH hardly changed. CONCLUSIONS: Jawbreakers are frequently used by children, who keep this candy in their mouth for a long time. Jawbreakers differ considerable in erosive potential, with sour and jumbo jawbreakers > strawberry jawbreaker >> fireball jawbreaker. This information is of use for dental hygienists counselling juvenile patients with dental erosion.

The erosive potential of lollipops.

AIM: To determine the erosive potential of several commercially available lollipops and the protective effect of saliva. METHODS: The erosive potential of lollipops was determined in vitro by measuring the pH and neutralisable acidity. Subsequently, 10 healthy volunteers tested different types of lollipops. Whole saliva was collected 5 minutes before, 15 minutes during and 10 minutes after consumption. Salivary flow rate and pH were determined. RESULTS: Fruit flavoured and cola flavoured lollipops have a very low pH (2.3 - 2.4). Yogurt-containing and salmiak (salty liquorice) flavoured lollipops have much higher pH values (3.8-4.7). The neutralisable acidity of 1g of lollipop showed a large variation from < 200 microl to > 1700 microl 0.1 M NaOH. In vivo, lollipops induced 2.5 to 4.7-fold increase in salivary flow rate with a concomitant drop in salivary pH. For fruit flavoured and cola flavoured lollipops the salivary pH dropped below pH 5.5. For strawberry yogurt and salmiak lollipops, the salivary pH remained above this critical value. The volunteers did not report significant differences in preferences for the lollipops. CONCLUSIONS: Lollipops differ considerable in erosive potential, with fruit flavoured and cola flavoured lollipops having the highest risk for inducing dental erosion. This information is of use for clinicians counselling juvenile patients with dental erosion.

[Acidic candies affect saliva secretion rates and oral fluid acidity]. / Invloed van kindersnoep op de speekselsecretiesnelheid en de zuurgraad van mondvloeistof.

After the observation of a 9-year-old child with dental erosion in a general dental practice, the erosive potential of acidic candies was investigated in a 4-, an 8-, and a 12-year-old child. The saliva secretion rate and the acidity of the oral fluid of these children were measured before, during and after consumption of several types of candies. Consumption of most types of candies was finished after 2 minutes approximately. During the 2 minutes, the saliva secretion rate increased to minimally 2 and maximally 3.5 ml/min, with a concomitant pH decrease to less than 5 and even to 4. These effects disappeared within 2 minutes, suggesting that frequent consumption of acidic candies may contribute to the development of dental erosion.

[Candy sprays and -gels: effect on salivary flow and pH]. / Snoepsprays en -gels: invloed op speekselsecretie en zuurgraad.

After seeing a child with dental erosion in a pediatric dental clinic the fondness and use of sweets were asked. With a questionnaire it became clear that recently various candy sprays and -gels are available to keep a sweet and fresh taste in the mouth at school. The buffer capacity of a number of sprays and gels were determined and they were tested in the mouth. The taste determines the increase in salivary flow rate. The effects of a taste stimulus on increasing the flow rate and decreasing the pH disappear within 2 until 3 minutes. Concluding: the Candy sprays and particularly the Juicy Drop Pop belong, from the dental point of view, to children sweets with high risk for dental caries and erosion. The use of these fluid sweets has to be reduced as much as possible.

Dental erosion in the 21st century: what is happening to nutritional habits and lifestyle in our society?

Several developments in Western Europe may have contributed to the increased prevalence of dental erosion during the last decades. Exposing children to sour taste at an early age increases the preference for acidic food and drinks later in life. Acidic fruits and beverages became widely available due to economic prosperity. New types of acidic candies were developed, some of which are kept in the mouth for very long times. Children are exposed to intense marketing of these acidic products, which are widely available in supermarkets and school canteens. In the meantime, much less attention has been paid to the development and marketing of less erosive food products.

Soft drink, software and softening of teeth - a case report of tooth wear in the mixed dentition due to a combination of dental erosion and attrition.

This case report describes a 9-year-old boy with severe tooth wear as a result of drinking a single glass of soft drink per day. This soft drink was consumed over a period of one to two hours, while he was gaming intensively on his computer. As a result, a deep bite, enamel cupping, sensitivity of primary teeth and loss of fillings occurred. Therefore, dentists should be aware that in patients who are gaming intensively, the erosive potential of soft drinks can be potentiated by mechanical forces leading to excessive tooth wear.

The erosive potential of candy sprays.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the erosive potential of seven different commercially available candy sprays in vitro and in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The erosive potential was determined in vitro by measuring the pH and neutralisable acidity. The salivary pH and flow rate were measured in healthy volunteers after administration of a single dose of candy spray. RESULTS: Candy sprays have an extremely low pH (1.9-2.3) and a neutralisable acidity varying between 0.8-1.6 ml of 0.25M NaOH. In vivo, candy sprays induced a short-term 3.0 to 5.8-fold increase in salivary flow rate with a concomitant drop in salivary pH to values between 4.4 and 5.8. CONCLUSION: All candy sprays tested have an erosive potential. This information is of use for clinicians counselling juvenile patients with dental erosion.