SPORTS DRINKS HAZARD TO TEETH

Objective-To determine the dental hazards associated with sports suppl ement drinks by investigating the chemicophysical properties of eight brands of sports drinks. Methods-The pH and titratable acidity against 0.1M NaOH was measured. Calcium, phosphate, and fluoride concentratio ns and viscosities of Carbolode, Gatorade, High Five, Isostar, Lucozad e Sport Lemon, Lucozade Sport Orange, Maxim, and PSP22 were determined . Results-The pH values of the drinks ranged from 4.46 (Maxim) to 2.38 (Isostar) and therefore were below the critical pH value (5.5) for en amel demineralisation. Both Lucozade varieties had high titratable aci dities (16.30 ml 0.1M NaOH to neutrality) with Gatorade, High Five, an d Isostar displaying intermediate titratable acidity, although Isostar had 74.5 ppm calcium and 63.6 ppm phosphate. The fluoride concentrati on of all drinks was low and none of the drinks was particularly visco us (range 3.1-1.4 mPa.s). Conclusions-The chemicophysical analyses ind icate that all the sports drinks in this study have erosive potential. However, drinks with higher pH, lower titratable acidity, and higher concentrations of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride will reduce this er osive potential.