Dental News - Aussie study finds sugar-free sweets and drinks dangerous for teeth

Dental Tribune International

Tue. 1. December 2015

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MELBOURNE, Australia: Although consumers are becoming increasingly health conscious in their choice of beverages and confectionery, sugar-free substitutes for sweet treats are not necessarily the healthier alternative. In comparing regular soft drinks with their sugar-free substitutes, Aussie researchers have found that the chemical mix of acids in many low-sugar foods and drinks can cause serious dental erosion.

In the study, researchers from the University of Melbourne’s Oral Health Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) tested 23 different types of drinks, including soft drinks and sports drinks. The results showed that drinks containing acidic additives and with low pH levels caused measurable damage to the dental enamel, even if the drink was sugar-free.

“Many people are not aware that while reducing your sugar intake does reduce your risk of dental decay, the chemical mix of acids in some foods and drinks can cause the equally damaging condition of dental erosion,” Prof. Eric Reynolds, CEO of the Oral Health CRC, said.

In measuring the impact of exposure to a range of drinks, the researchers found that the majority of soft drinks and sports drinks caused softening of the dental enamel by 30–50 per cent. The study further identified that both the sugar-containing and the sugar-free soft drinks, including flavoured mineral waters, produced significant erosion of the dental enamel, with teeth showing measurable weight and surface loss.

“Dental erosion occurs when acid dissolves the hard tissues of the tooth. In its early stages erosion strips away the surface layers of tooth enamel. If it progresses to an advanced stage it can expose the soft pulp inside the tooth,” Reynolds explained.

In light of its findings, the Oral Health CRC concluded that current product testing and labelling regulations for foods and beverages are not sufficient to enable consumers to make informed choices in order to avoid the risk of dental erosion. “We have found sugar-free confectionery products that are labelled ‘tooth-friendly’ and which when tested were found to be erosive,” Reynolds said.

In order to minimise the risk of tooth erosion and decay, the Oral Health CRC researchers recommend checking ingredients for acid additives, especially citric acid (ingredient number 330) and phosphoric acid (ingredient number 338). In addition, the experts advised rinsing of the mouth with water and waiting 1 hour before brushing after eating or drinking acidic products, and limiting the intake of soft drinks and sports drinks.

Based on their findings, the Oral Health CRC researchers have published an online briefing paper titled “The potential of sugar-free beverages, sugar-free confectionery and sports drinks to cause dental erosion”. The paper can be accessed at www.oralhealthcrc.org.au.

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