Yasmine Tarek Ahmed, Azhar Alabbad, Leenah Almomin, Zahra Almuhanna, Nedaa Aljarrash, Fatimah Alsalman, Noor Aladi

ABSTRACT

Aim The aim of this study is to determine in vitro the degree of enamel demineralization caused by exposure to a sugar free vs. regular soft drinks. Materials and Methods Commercially available soft drinks were selected for pH analysis and the titratable acidity test (Coca Cola (zero), Coca Cola, Coffee without sugar, Coffee with sugar, Artificial Saliva). Fifty freshly extracted sound teeth were kept in artificial saliva at 37 degrees Celsius. It was examined by DIAGNODENT KaVo to ensure that the enamel is sound. The teeth were divided into 5 groups (n= 10). Control group were kept only in artificial saliva and the remaining four groups were subjected to (Coca Cola -zero- , Coca Cola, Coffee without sugar, Coffee with sugar). Then teeth were immersed for 24 hrs and the demineralization of enamel were measured again using DIAGNODENT Kavo. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23. Results The amount of demineralization were compared between sugar free vs regular soft drinks and coffee. Friedman test showed a statistically significant difference in the value between types of drinks (except artificial saliva) and exposure time (p<0.05). On the other hand, Kruskal Wallis test showed statistically significant difference in the value between all exposure time except 30 mins and types of drink including artificial saliva (p<0.05). Conclusions More community awareness programs about the demineralization effects of sugar free foods/drinks and maintaining oral health through diet modification and regulation of sugar free foods/drinks intake to reduce the prevalence of dental caries and tooth loss among the Saudi population.