Dental Erosion: Immediate pH Changes of Commercial Soft Drinks in Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To observe the pH changes of commercial soft drinks in the Nigerian market, at different time intervals after opening the can. Material and Methods: Two cola soft drinks, six non-cola soft drinks and two canned or bottled fruit juices were selected based on their popularity. About 250 milliliters of each of the drinks were poured inside a beaker containing the probe of a digital pH meter and the initial pH recorded. The pH readings were then taken at 30 seconds interval for 3 minutes. Results: The pH ranged from 2.74 - 2.76 for cola drinks, 2.68- 4.48 for non-cola drinks and 3.55 - 3.91 for fruit juices. LaCasera®; t0 (on opening) was 2.68, t3 (3 minutes) was 2.72. Seven up®; t0=3.15, t3=3.15. Cocacola®; t0=2.76, t3=2.74. Schweppes®; t0=2.94, t3=2.83. Krest®; t0=4.48, t3=4.54. Pepsicola®; t0=2.74, t3=2.70. Mirinda®; t0=3.04, t3=2.95. Fanta®; t0=3.12, t3=3.01. Fuman®; t0=3.55, t3=3.51. 5-Alive®; t0=3.91, t3=3.91. A tendency to pH increase was observed in LaCasera® and Krest®; no changes observed in Seven up® and 5Alive®; a tendency to decrease in pH was observed in Cocacola®, Schweppes®, Pepsicola®, Mirinda®, Fanta® and Fuman®. This study showed that all the soft drinks assessed had pH on opening lower than critical pH for enamel to dissolve and therefore erosive in nature. A significant number of them showed a tendency to decrease in pH after opening. Conclusion: This study revealed that popular soft drinks in Nigeria had pH below the critical dissolving pH of enamel and a tendency to decrease in pH after opening.

Key words: Dental Erosion, Soft drinks, pH changes, Nigeria.