Evaluation of hydrogen ion modulation in human dental plaque following consumption of regular and diet soft drinks

The high cariogenicity of all black cola drinks is recognized by all oral health care professionals. It has been proven that black cola drinks pose a threat to the integrity of tooth structure. Despite the presence or absence of artificial sweeteners in cola drinks, both regular and diet soft drinks still contain phosphoric and citric acid, which contributes to the total acidic challenge potential on enamel. Fourteen children (8 to 15 years of age) were recruited with DMFT +deft ≤3. Subjects were instructed to stop brushing 48 h prior to the appointment. Plaque samples collected and dissolved in the test beakers having 1 ml of double distilled water and pH was determined immediately inherent pH of the test drinks was measured. Five minutes after the consumption of each drink, the plaque sampling was done. The pH was recorded after 10, 20, 30, 40 and 60 min of the post consumption period. All the test drinks dropped the plaque pH below the critical pH indicating that the entire four carbonated beverage were capable of causing dissolution of enamel. That all carbonated beverages have virtually the same effect on acid production in plaque and thus are equally erosive.