Abstract
We examined the effects of various beverages on dental enamel. 1) The pH of 116 brands of beverages except for coffee drinks, milk tea and tea drinks was strongly acidic ranging from 2.3-4.9. 2) Teeth (central incisors) were immersed in 10 brands of beverages and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Decalcification of dental enamel was observed after 1 minute of immersion in beverages with a pH of 2.3-3.7. 3) When teeth were immersed in 1mM, 10mM or 100mM lactic acid and hydrochloric acid and examined by scanning electron microscopy, decalcification of dental enamel was observed in both 1mM lactic acid and hydrochloric acid. The degree of decalcification of dental enamel was stronger in hydrochloric acid than in lactic acid. These findings suggest that the decalcification of dental enamel occurs in strongly acidic beverages with a low pH.
