EROSIVE POTENTIAL OF SPORTS BEVERAGES ON HUMAN ENAMEL “IN VITRO”

ABSTRACT Introduction: The low pH of sports drinks may cause tooth enamel demineralization. Objective: To measure Vickers hardness of human enamel exposed to sports drinks. Methods: Human molars were used to collect the enamel samples. Each sample had a test surface (exposed to the drinks) and a control surface (unexposed). The samples were exposed to isotonic drinks Gatorade and Powerade, and to maltodextrin drinks Malto Advanced and Malto Active, for 10 minutes every 12 hours over 30 days. The Vickers microhardness test was conducted with three indentations on each surface. The mean of the indentations within each group was considered in the statistical analysis. Sports drinks variables were analyzed with ANOVA/Tukey (p≤0.01). The independent t-test was used in the comparison between the control and test surfaces of each drink (p ≤ 0.05). Results: Enamel exposure to Gatorade (p = 0.000) Malto Advanced (p = 0.000) and Malto Active (p = 0.000) was seen to significantly reduce microhardness, while the isotonic drink Powerade had no significant effect on enamel (p = 0.248). Conclusion: It was concluded that with the exception of the isotonic drink Powerade, all the sports drinks tested caused a reduction in the microhardness of human enamel. Evidence Level III; Therapeutic studies - Investigating the Results of Treatment. RESUMO Introdução: O baixo pH de bebidas esportivas pode promover perda mineral do esmalte dental. Objetivo: Avaliar a microdureza Vickers do esmalte humano exposto a bebidas esportivas. Métodos: Dentes molares humanos foram usados para coletar as amostras de esmalte. Cada amostra apresentou uma superfície de teste (exposta às bebidas) e uma superfície de controle (não exposta). As amostras foram expostas aos isotônicos Gatorade e Powerade e às maltodextrinas Advanced Series e Malto Active durante 10 minutos de 12/12 horas, durante 30 dias. O teste de microdureza Vickers foi realizado com três indentações em cada superfície. Na análise estatística, foi considerada a média das indentações dentro de cada grupo. As variáveis bebidas esportivas foram avaliadas com ANOVA/Tukey (p ≤ 0,01). Na comparação entre a superfície controle e teste de cada bebida foi utilizado o Teste t para amostras independentes (p ≤ 0,05). Resultado: Observou-se que a exposição do esmalte a Gatorade (p = 0,000), Malto Advanced (p = 0,000) e Malto Active (p = 0,000) reduz significativamente a microdureza, enquanto que o isotônico Powerade não produziu efeito significativ