Laboratory Studies Concerning the Effect of Acid-Containing Beverages on Enamel Dissolution and Experimental Dental Caries

¹ Oral Health Research Institute, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA

Studies were conducted to determine if acid-containing beverages affect adversely in vitro enamel dissolution and experimental dental caries, and if the addition of phosphate influences these systems. Results suggest that these beverages cause dissolution of enamel and produce enamel erosion in rat molars, regardless of the presence or absence of sucrose. Addition of NaH₂PO₄ reduced the damage to enamel.