Analysis of the pH levels in energy and pre-workout beverages and frequency of consumption: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Erosive tooth wear is an increasingly common pathology in the youth population. It refers to the chronic, localized, painless loss of dental hard tissues caused by non-bacterial acids, often originating from external sources like acidic beverages. Energy drink consumption is on the rise, frequently preceding physical exercise to enhance perceived energy levels. However, there are other types of beverages that also provide energy, such as pre-workout drinks, classified as sports drinks. The main objective of this research study has been conducted with the purpose of analyzing the pH of energy drinks and pre-workout beverages, and studying the frequency of consumption of such beverages in amateur athletes who practice sports. METHODS: A total of 67 beverages were examined, comprising 43 energy drinks and 24 sports supplementation beverages, also known as pre-workout or pre-training beverages. The participants were given a survey to complete. They were asked to respond whether they consumed any type of pre-workout or energy drink, and they were also asked about the timing of consumption. RESULTS: The findings indicated an average pH of 3.3 among the studied beverages, indicating a pH below the critical threshold. Out of the 113 participants, 51% reported taking some form of supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, it was concluded that most of the analyzed beverages recorded pH values low enough to classify them as erosive, posing a threat to enamel surface. When analyzing the frequency of consumption of energy drinks and pre-workout beverages in amateur athletes, we observed that most participants aged 29 years or younger took supplements 3 to 5 times a week, while the older age groups more frequently took supplements 1 to 2 times a week.

Onset and progression of dental erosion in a mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: Purpose of this research was to examine the onset, progression and wear rates of dental erosion in an established mouse model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dental erosion in mice was experimentally induced, and the acidic effects of cola drink on their teeth after 2, 4 and 6-weeks were closely analysed by scanning electron microscopy. The tooth height and enamel or dentin loss were established.  Results: The dental erosion on the molars showed clear progression from 2 to 6 weeks. By the 2-week mark, a significant portion of enamel was already eroded, revealing the dentin on the lingual cusps. When adjusted for attritional wear, molars exposed to cola for 2 weeks showed a 35% drop in lingual tooth height compared to controls (533 µm vs. 818 µm). At 4 and 6 weeks, the cola-exposed group continued to display decreased lingual tooth heights by 40% (476 µm vs. 799 µm) and 43% (440 µm vs. 767 µm), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study revealed significant acidic effects of cola drink on mouse molars as early as 2 weeks. These findings highlight the challenge of monitoring dental erosion clinically and underscore the importance of early preventive and intervention measures.

Dental care staff's experience with risk assessment of dental erosion: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: The risk assessment of dental erosion among children and adolescents is an important aspect of dental care, as dental erosion constitutes a rapidly growing, global problem. Dental professionals rely solely on their own perception, as the current risk assessment process is not completely automatized, which affects the risk assessment reliability. AIM: To explore dental professionals' experiences with risk assessment of dental erosion among children and adolescents. METHOD: In-depth interview was used as data collection method. A total of 11 dental professionals were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The findings were summarized in the categories Professionals' responsibility, Systematic approach , and Collaboration and communication. Dental staff perceived that their basic knowledge regarding erosion should be improved, and skills development was desired to reduce the knowledge gaps around the risk assessment of dental erosion. They alleged that the systematic approach could be improved by reducing workplace stress, implementing a universal dental erosion index, improving the existing risk assessment software, and automating the risk assessment of the condition. Dental professionals also experienced a need to calibrate and collaborate with each other and with other healthcare professionals to improve patient care. CONCLUSION: Dental professionals experienced their basic knowledge of dental erosion and their risk assessment as good, but a more advanced skill development was required. Furthermore, they experienced the risk assessment software as a good tool that should be improved to compile more objective risk assessment. A universal erosion index was also requested.

Prevalence of Dental Erosive Wear and Possible Risk Factors among Adolescents and Adults in Poland - A National Survey.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and severity of erosive tooth wear (ETW) and evaluate the determinants of ETW among adolescents and adults in Poland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study covered three age groups of patients: 15 years old, 18 years old, and adults aged 35-44 years. Calibrated examiners measured ETW according to the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) scoring system in 6091 patients. The clinical examination of patients was preceded by a socio-medical study based on a questionnaire consisting of items identifying potential risk factors for ETW. RESULTS: In all age groups, erosive lesions were most common in the form of initial enamel damage; more advanced lesions (BEWE 2 and 3) were rarely observed among 15-year-olds, while in the group of older adolescents and adults, the percentages were 13% and 20%, respectively. Acidic diet, gender, level of education, and medical conditions were statistically significantly associated with ETW in the examined population. The analysis showed that, depending on age, multiple and statistically significant risk factors for ETW become most apparent in the 35-44 age group, especially with regard to general health. This suggests that the long-term impact of factors and their cumulative effects are critical to the development of ETW. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large, representative study of ETW in Central and Eastern Europe among adolescents and adults, which indicates the relatively rare occurrence and severity of erosive lesions. The present findings support other longitudinal studies supporting the use of the BEWE system as a valuable standard for assessing erosive lesions and related risk factors among different populations at different ages.

Risk factors for noncarious cervical lesions: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are multifactorial and can be caused by the anatomical structure of the teeth, erosion, abrasion and abnormal occlusion. The aim of this case-control study was to explore the risk factors for NCCLs. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography was used to determine whether a wedge-shaped defect existed at the cementoenamel junction. We compared 63 participants with NCCLs with 63 controls without NCCLs, matched for sex, age (±1 year) and toothbrushing-related factors (e.g., type of bristle and brushing patterns, frequency and strength). All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about self-administered daily diet habits and health condition. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the risk factors for NCCLs. RESULTS: Significant variables in the univariate analysis (i.e., p < .2) included frequency of carbonated beverage consumption, sella-nasion-point B angle (SNB) and Frankfort-mandibular plane angle (FMA). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that the consumption frequency of carbonated beverages (odds ratio [OR] = 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.039-9.532), FMA (OR = 1.100; 95% CI, 1.004-1.204) and SNB (OR = 0.896; 95% CI, 0.813-0.988) was independent influencing factors. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) value of regression Model 1 (established with the frequency of carbonated beverage consumption, FMA, SNB and sleep bruxism) was 0.700 (95% CI, 0.607-0.792; p < .001), and that of regression Model 2 (established using the frequency of carbonated beverage consumption, FMA and SNB) was 0.704 (95% CI, 0.612-0.796; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The consumption frequency of carbonated beverages and FMA was risk factors for NCCLs; the higher the frequency of carbonated beverage consumption and FMA, the higher was the probability of NCCLs. SNB was a protective factor for NCCL occurrence; the larger the SNB, the lower was the probability of NCCL occurrence. These findings have further clarified the aetiology of NCCLs and provided clinicians with valuable insights into strategies for preventing the loss of dental tissue.

Prevalence of erosive tooth wear and associated risk factors in Colombian adolescents.

Accurate determination of the prevalence of erosive tooth wear (ETW) and associated risk factors in adolescents can inform clinical management guidelines. The aim of this analytical cross-sectional study was to estimate the prevalence, severity, and risk factors of ETW in adolescents aged 12-15 years in the municipality of Usaquén in Bogotá, Colombia. Two calibrated examiners clinically assessed ETW using Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) Index (range: 0-3). All tooth surfaces (excluding proximal) were scored to allow estimation of the Highest (0-3) and Total BEWE (sum of Highest BEWE score per sextant: 0-18) scores per patient. Sociodemographic characteristics, ETW risk factors, and caries severity (ICDAS-epi-merged) were evaluated, and their association with the presence of ETW (indicated by a Highest BEWE score of 2-3) was examined using preliminary analyses and logistic regression models. The study sample included 454 adolescents (mean age: 13.5±1.1 years; female: 61.7%), and the prevalence of ETW was 71.6%. The majority of participants exhibited a Highest BEWE score of 3 (58.0%) and a Total BEWE score ≤8 (84.3%). The preliminary analysis showed an association between the presence of ETW and age, caries, and brushing teeth before eating (p-value < 0.05). Risk factors for ETW included always brushing teeth before eating [adjusted Prevalence Ratio (PRa) 1.31, p-value=0.014], presence of extensive carious lesions (PRa 1.23, p-value = 0.024), male gender (PRa 1.14, p-value = 0.028), and age > 14 years (PRa 1.17, p-value = 0.009). Although ETW was highly prevalent, most Colombian adolescents exhibited low Total BEWE scores. ETW was associated with frequent fruit intake, age, toothbrushing habits, caries lesions, and sex.

Practical training using BEWE aimed at improving the diagnosis ability of erosive tooth wear for dental students-A randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Erosive tooth wear (ETW) has been gaining attention due to its high prevalence. However, ETW clinical diagnosis is difficult and may go unnoticed by many professionals. The present study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate a theoretical-practical training using active methodologies in the development of undergraduate students' skills for the diagnosis of ETW compared to the traditional teaching method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled study involved two parallel groups: control group (n = 22), with learning based only on theoretical content and test group (n = 24), learning by theoretical-practical activity mediated by monitors/tutors. The theoretical class covered the current concepts of ETW, aetiology, diagnosis, use of the BEWE index, prevention and treatment. The practical training included exercises and discussions based on the diagnosis using BEWE scores of a collection of images and extracted teeth. To evaluate the efficacy of the teaching-learning methods, a theoretical multiple-choice questionnaire and a practical test using images and extracted teeth were applied. The outcome was the number of correct answers. Groups were compared by Mann-Whitney (theoretical knowledge) and T tests (practical ability in diagnosis) (p < .05). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in the theoretical evaluation (p = .866). The test group showed higher ability to diagnose ETW lesions compared to the control group in the practical tests (p = .001). The performance of ETW diagnosis was similar when images were used in comparison to extracted teeth (p = .570). CONCLUSION: The practical activity associated with theoretical classes can be a promising strategy to improve the development of undergraduate students' skills in the diagnosis of ETW.

Oral Health Status of Workers in Acid Exposure Environments in Japan: A Cross-sectional Study.

Although the working environment may play a role in dental acid erosion, few studies have been conducted on this in Japanese workers in recent years. The purpose of this study was to investigate oral health status, including dental erosion, in workers who may have been exposed to an acidic environment. The study participants were recruited by an online research company. Oral examinations and questionnaire surveys were conducted on this cohort in January 2023. A total of 144 participants were finally included. Workers exposed to an acidic environment showed more use of protective equipment and underwent more dental examinations at the workplace (p<0.001). Possible dental erosion was observed in only 3 out of the total of 144 participants (2.1%), however. No significant difference was observed in the number of teeth, caries experience, or dental erosion according to the number of years of acid exposure in the workplace. The results of this study suggest that acid exposure exerts a relatively small effect on the oral health status of workers in Japan.

[Risk analysis Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW): checklist for a quick assessment of the risk factors for ETW in the dental practice]. / Risikoanalyse Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW): Checkliste zur schnellen Bewertung der Risikofaktoren für ETW in der Zahnarztpraxis.

Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW) is the loss of tooth structure without bacterial involvement. As the resulting loss of tooth structure is irreversible, an early evaluation of the multifactorial etiology, accurate diagnosis and regular follow-up are essential. The ETW is dynamic and its progression should be continuously monitored. A risk analysis table was developed to systematically record risk factors for ETW (Fig. 2). This allows ETW management to be integrated more efficiently into clinical practice and the progression to be documented over the years. If ETW is assumed, the risk analysis should be performed and updated at least every two years. In the assessment, risk-promoting and risk-inhibiting factors are marked, added together and compared. If the negative factors pre-dominate, measures should be taken to minimize the risk for ETW. The main purpose of the risk analysis is therefore to evaluate the individual etiology, coun-teract negative factors, promote positive factors and prevent progression.

Prevention and management of dental erosion and decay.

The 2017 Global Disease Study revealed 2.3 billion untreated cavities and 139 million other oral conditions like dental erosion. Modern treatments prioritise controlling etiological factors and preventing related diseases. This Editorial invites researchers to contribute to the collection, 'Prevention and management of dental erosion and decay'.

Should We Wait to Brush Our Teeth? A Scoping Review Regarding Dental Caries and Erosive Tooth Wear.

BACKGROUND: Tooth brushing is a universal recommendation. However, the recommendations related to the time of its execution are conflicting, especially when dealing with patients at risk of erosive tooth wear (ETW) or dental caries. SUMMARY: Our objective was to summarize the evidence on the timing of brushing with fluoridated toothpaste in relation to ETW and cariogenic dietary challenges. We conducted a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR checklist, using three databases searching for in vivo, in situ, or in vitro studies involving human teeth exposed to either a cariogenic or an erosive challenge. Only models including human saliva and fluoride were assessed. Data selection, extraction, and risk of bias analysis were done in duplicate and independently. From 1,545 identified studies, 17 (16 related to ETW and 1 to dental caries) were included. Most evidence (n = 10) supported that brushing with a fluoride-containing product does not increase ETW, independent of the moment of brushing. Delaying tooth brushing up to 1 h (n = 4) or individualized recommendations based on the patient's problem (n = 2) were less frequent. Only one study reported that brushing pre- or post-meal does not affect Streptococcus mutans counts. Most data were in situ (n = 13), and the overall study quality was judged as sufficient/low risk of bias. KEY MESSAGES: Although the available evidence lacked robust clinical studies, tooth brushing using fluoridated products immediately after an erosive challenge does not increase the risk of ETW and can be recommended, which is in line with recommendations for dental caries prevention. Furthermore, we suggest updating the international guidelines to promote individualized recommendations based on risk factors to prevent either ETW or dental caries.

Tooth surface loss: causes, management, and prevention.

OBJECTIVES: Tooth wear, also referred to as tooth surface loss, occurs due to causes other than caries. This involves the loss of hard tissues, namely enamel, dentin, and/or cementum. Types of tooth wear/tooth surface loss are abrasion, abfraction, attrition, and erosion. These multifactorial conditions can be caused by factors such as lifestyle, diet, or even habits, and may not be symptomatic. The focus of this article is to provide clinicians with detailed examples and explanations of the causes of tooth loss to aid in early diagnosis. Through early identification, the preventive measures outlined can be implemented to avoid excessive tooth wear. The provision of a treatment flowchart and general treatment recommendations aims to help clinicians determine when to restore these lesions and the most appropriate treatment measures for the four types of wear. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The PubMed (MEDLINE) search engine was used to gather information on teeth restricted to a 5-year period (26 August 2018 to 25 July 2022). Only English-language studies and reviews with the best balance of sensitivity and specificity were considered. A Boolean search of the PubMed dataset was implemented to combine a range of keywords: ("tooth wear" OR tooth attrition OR tooth erosion OR tooth abrasion OR tooth abfraction). Additional articles were selected through Google Scholar. RESULTS: By this process, many articles and studies were obtained, and the 48 most relevant published studies were chosen and used in the current review. CONCLUSION: Tooth wear affects an increasing number of individuals and can have detrimental effects physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is important to stress early diagnosis and management of tooth wear through monitoring, prevention, and treatment where indicated.

Factors associated with prevalence and severity of erosive tooth wear in patients with reflux oesophagitis.

BACKGROUND: Extrinsic factors for erosive tooth wear (ETW) have been widely reported, but the intrinsic factors for wear remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors associated with the prevalence of ETW in patients with reflux oesophagitis (RO). To prevent severe ETW with RO, factors associated with severity of ETW were also evaluated. METHODS: A total of 270 patients with RO were recruited. A modified tooth wear index was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of ETW. Salivary secretion and buffering capacity were assessed prior to endoscopy. Subjects were asked to complete a medical condition and oral self-care questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to identify factors collectively associated with the prevalence and severity of ETW. RESULTS: A total of 212 cases were categorized as patients with ETW (148 with mild ETW and 64 with severe ETW). Multivariate analyses indicated that saliva secretion, severity of RO and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) resistance were associated with the prevalence of ETW, whereas age, BMI and severity of RO were associated with the severity of ETW. The odds ratio of saliva secretion and BMI were less than 1, meaning that higher saliva secretion resulted in a lower prevalence of ETW and lower BMI was associated with severe ETW. CONCLUSION: Saliva secretion, severity of RO and PPI resistance were associated with the prevalence of ETW, whereas age, BMI and severity of RO were associated with the severity of ETW. Lower saliva secretion and BMI were significant factors for ETW.

Addition of substances to reduce the erosive potential of acidic beverages to tooth enamel: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed (1) to map, analyse, interpret and synthesize data from in situ studies on which substances were added to acidic beverages to reduce the erosive potential on tooth enamel and (2) to establish the level of evidence of the effectiveness of adding substances to acidic beverages to reduce the erosive potential on tooth enamel. DESIGN: This is a scoping review, according to the methods from the Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR, with high-sensitivity searches in the databases PubMed (MEDLINE), Virtual Health Library, Embase (Elsevier), Scopus (Elsevier), Web of Science and ScienceDirect (Elsevier). In situ studies published in English until December 2022 were included. Studies that did not report a control group were excluded. To map and summarize the results, tables and figures were used. RESULTS: From 895 potentially eligible articles, nine were included. Blackcurrant juices (n = 5) with the addition of calcium (n = 3) or xanthan gum (n = 2) formulations were the most tested in terms of reducing the erosive potential of the beverages on tooth enamel. The profilometer was the equipment of choice (n = 8) for evaluating the loss of enamel structure after the experimental tests. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium and xanthan gum are among the most tested by in situ studies, offering promising results in reducing the erosive potential of fruit juices and carbonated and energy drinks.

Anamnestic risk factors for erosive tooth wear: Systematic review, mapping, and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Erosive tooth wear is a multifactorial condition. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify key risk factors for erosive tooth wear in permanent dentition. STUDY SELECTION: Observational studies reporting anamnestic risk factors for erosive tooth wear. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cross-sectional studies. Risk factors were visually presented in a heatmap, and where possible, random-effects meta-analyses were performed for the odds ratios (ORs) of risk factors. SOURCES: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science) and manual searches in February 2023. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD4202339776). DATA: A total of 87 publications reporting on 71 studies were included in the systematic review. The studies examined a variety of anamnestic risk factors (n = 80) that were categorized into ten domains (socio-demographics, socio-economics, general health, oral diseases, medication, oral hygiene, food, beverages, dietary habits, and leisure-related risk factors). Meta-analyses revealed significant associations between erosive tooth wear and male gender (padj.<0.001; OR=1.30, 95 % CI: 1.16-1.44), regurgitation (padj.=0.033; OR=2.27, 95 % CI: 1.41-3.65), digestive disorders (padj.<0.001; OR=1.81, 95 % CI: 1.48-2.21), consumption of acidic foods (padj.=0.033; OR=2.40, 95 % CI: 1.44-4.00), seasoning sauces (padj.=0.003; OR=1.28, 95 % CI: 1.13-1.44), nutritional supplements (padj.=0.019; OR=1.73, 95 % CI: 1.28-2.35), and carbonated drinks (padj.=0.019; OR=1.43, 95 % CI: 1.17-1.75). Most included studies exhibited low bias risk. CONCLUSIONS: Observational studies investigated a variety of anamnestic risk factors for erosive tooth wear. Future studies should employ validated questionnaires, particularly considering the most important risk factors. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Erosive tooth wear is a prevalent condition. Clinicians should concentrate primarily on symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and dietary factors when screening patients at risk for erosive tooth wear.

Prevalence and Associated Factors to Non-Carious Cervical Lesions in Brazilian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract Objective: To identify the prevalence, severity, hypersensitivity, and distribution of Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) among university students in Brazil. Material and Methods: 179 participants answered an anamnesis with twenty questions about the presence or absence of habits associated with NCCL. The participants' teeth were evaluated to identify the presence or absence of the lesion, its classification, involved surfaces, severity, hypersensitivity, and tooth wear index. A hypersensitivity test was performed with ice water. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and simple logistic regression (p<0.01). Results: 179 participants answered an anamnesis with twenty questions about the presence or absence of habits associated with NCCL. The participants' teeth were evaluated to identify the presence or absence of the lesion, its classification, involved surfaces, severity, hypersensitivity, and tooth wear index. A hypersensitivity test was performed with ice water. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and simple logistic regression (p<0.01). Conclusion: The prevalence of NCCL was 15.1% and abfraction was the most frequent lesion. Premolars were the teeth most affected by non-carious cervical lesions.

Relación entre la erosión dental y el consumo de bebidas refrescantes en escolares de 12 a 16 años de un centro educativo en Perú / Relationship between dental erosion and the consumption of refreshing drinks in schoolchildren from 12 to 16 years of age at an educational center in Peru

Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre la erosión dental y el consumo de bebidas refrescantes en escolares de 12 a 16 años del Centro Educativo Juan Velasco Alvarado, en el distrito de Pillco Marca, Perú. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacio- nal, transversal de una muestra de 135 niños de 12 a 16 años. Se seleccionaron historias clínicas que contaran con datos so- bre variables demográficas, la valoración del tipo de erosión dental según la clasificación de Eccles y que hayan respondi- do la encuesta sobre el consumo de las bebidas refrescantes (gaseosas, rehidratantes y jugos). Para evaluar la asociación entre las variables se aplicó la prueba chi-cuadrado; el nivel de significación establecido fue de p<0,05. Resultados: La frecuencia de la erosión dental en los es- colares fue del 54,1%. Un 3,7% consumía bebidas refrescan- tes de 3 a 5 veces por semana, un 45,9% consumía 2 veces por semana, y el 50,4% no consumía o consumía menos de 2 ve- ces a la semana. Las gaseosas que más frecuentemente se con- sumían fueron la Coca-Cola (20,7%) y la Kola Real (20%). El 43,7% no ingería ningún tipo de bebida gaseosa. Se halló una asociación entre la erosión dental y la ingesta de bebidas refrescantes (chi-cuadrado 84,77, p<0,05), con una ingesta de 2 veces por semana o más (chi-cuadrado 62,589, p<0,05). La erosión dental fue más frecuente en aquellos alumnos que in- gerían ambas bebidas, gaseosas y rehidratantes en su dieta, comparado con solo gaseosas o rehidratantes (p=0,048). Conclusiones: Las bebidas refrescantes resultaron ser no- civas para la erosión dental, cuando estas bebidas se toman al menos dos veces por semana (AU)

Aim: Determine the relation between dental erosion and the consumption of the refreshing drinks in schoolchildren from 12 to 16 years of Juan Velasco Alvarado Educational Center, from Pillco Marca district, Peru. Materials and methods: An observational, cross-sec- tional study was carried out on a sample of 135 children from 12 to 16 years of age. From all the medical records avail- able, the final selection included the ones that had data on demographic variables, the assessment of the type of dental erosion according to the Eccles classification and that had answered the survey on the consumption of refreshing drinks (soft drinks, rehydrating drinks and juices). To evaluate the association between the variables, the chi-square test was ap- plied; the established significance level was p<0.05. Results: The frequency of dental erosion in schoolchil- dren was 54.1%. 3.7% consumed refreshing drinks 3 to 5 times a week, 45.9% consumed 2 times a week, and 50.4% did not consume or consumed less than 2 times a week. The soft drinks most frequently consumed were Coca-Cola (20.7%) and Kola Real (20%). 43.7% did not ingest any type of soft drink. An association was found between dental erosion and the intake of refreshing drinks (chi-square 84.77, p<0.05), with an intake of at least twice a week (chi-square 62.589, p<0.05). Dental erosion was more frequent in those students who ingested both soft drinks and rehydrating drinks in their diet, compared to only soft drinks or only rehydrating drinks (p=0.048 Conclusions: Refreshing drinks turned out to be harmful in relation to dental erosion, when these drinks are taken at least twice a week (AU)

Erosive tooth wear and salivary parameters among competitive swimmers and non-swimmers in Egypt: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Competitive swimmers spend considerable time practicing their sport. Prolonged exposure to chlorinated water can alter salivary parameters and might compromise oral health. This study aimed to determine erosive tooth wear status and its related risk factors among competitive swimmers as compared to non-swimmers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study consisting of 180 athletes (90 competitive swimmers versus 90 competitive rowers "non-swimmers") was conducted. Participants were interviewed on the common erosion risk factors. The Basic Erosive Wear Examination system was used to assess the status of erosive tooth wear. Stimulated saliva sample was collected before and after a training session and pool pH was evaluated using pH strips for 7 days. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of dental erosion was significantly higher among competitive swimmers (60%) with higher BEWE scores compared to non-swimmers (25.6%). The salivary flow rate was reduced significantly after training sessions in both groups while salivary pH increased among swimmers. Evaluation of pool water revealed a continuous reduction in the pH level, reaching a very acidic pH level of 3.24. CONCLUSION: Erosive tooth wear is more prevalent among competitive swimmers. Years of practice and regular consumption of acidic drinks increase the odds of developing erosive lesions. A high incidence of erosive lesions may be attributed to a reduction in swimming pool pH level. Salivary parameters showed variations between groups after training sessions.