06 March 2019

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Which beverages can cause tooth wear?

Lara Figini

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The consumption of carbonated drinks is associated with tooth wear, but for other foods and acidic drinks literature data are still controversial. Moreover, not much attention has been given to other important characteristics of the diet, such as the timing and duration of exposure of teeth to substances or acidic drinks.
A study published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry in 2018, tried to analyze this topic and estimated the correlation between different types and times of acidic food intake and dental wear in an adult population is investigated. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS 
The authors obtained data from 3586 adults, aged 18 and older, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2003 and 2004. Data on four types of food were collected and analyzed and acidic beverages (fruit, fruit juices, alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks) and consumption times (meals vs snacks, defined on the basis of the percentage of total energy intake consumed and the time of day). The severity of wear (moderate or severe) was assessed based on the number of compromised dental surfaces. 

RESULTS 
The intake of carbonated soft drinks during meals is associated with tooth wear, while the intake of fruit, fruit juices and alcoholic beverages is not. The consumption of carbonated soft drinks during meals, from the data of this study, seems to be the only factor constantly associated with tooth wear, regardless of whether you are talking about real meals or snacks. 

CONCLUSIONS 
The results of this study have shown that regular consumption of carbonated soft drinks during meals is related to moderate-to-severe dental wear in the adult American population. 
The duration of meals instead (meals vs snacks, greater vs less time of contact acids / teeth) does not affect the appearance of dental wear. 

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS 
The data from this study must be confirmed with results from other similar studies. 

For additional informations: 
Type and timing of dietary acid intake and tooth wear among American adults.