New research shows that modifying soft drinks with calcium and specific polymers can drastically reduce their ability to erode enamel and dentin, offering potential benefits for patients at high risk of erosive tooth wear.
Can Soda Be Made Safer for Teeth? A New Study Says Yes.
A recent experimental study published in a peer-reviewed dental journal explored whether modifying soft drinks with calcium and film-forming polymers could reduce their erosive potential on tooth surfaces, and the findings may have meaningful implications for preventive care in dentistry.
Researchers used Sprite Zero Sugar as the base beverage and introduced different combinations of linear sodium polyphosphate (LPP), sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP), and calcium lactate pentahydrate (CLP). Bovine enamel and dentin samples were subjected to erosion-remineralization cycles, mimicking typical oral conditions, and analyzed for surface loss.
Key Findings for Clinicians:
- LPP alone cut enamel erosion by ~53% and dentin erosion by ~41% compared to the unmodified drink.
- TMP alone showed no protective effect.
- The best results came from combining CLP with either LPP or TMP, with a remarkable 97% reduction in enamel surface loss.
- In dentin, LPP+CLP cut erosion by 56%, and TMP+CLP by 48%.
- Importantly, the drink’s appearance and viscosity were unaffected, preserving consumer acceptability.
Why This Matters:
Tooth erosion is increasingly prevalent, especially in younger populations with high soft drink consumption. For non-compliant or high-risk individuals — such as those with low salivary flow, eating disorders, or acidic diets — even modest reductions in beverage acidity can have long-term oral health benefits.
Clinical Takeaway:
If commercial beverages begin adopting these types of protective modifications, it could represent a significant step forward in reducing diet-related erosive tooth wear. Until then, dental professionals may consider educating patients about the risks of acidic drinks and the science behind potential future alternatives.
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