Background/Aim. Excessive consumption of acidic dietary substances, such as carbonated beverages, increased the
chances of dental erosion. The aim of this study was to determine influence of carbonated beverages on enamel and
dentin, during different intervals. Methods. Sixty samples
were obtained from fifteen impacted third molars. Tooth
crown was divided into four parts. One part was a control
sample, immersed in destilled water and other three parts
were the experimental samples, stored in the following tested beverages: carbonated water, Coca-Cola and Schweppes
Bitter Lemon. For each beverage, pH was measured before
immersion of the samples. The first group of twenty samples were analysed and photographed, using a Scanning
Electron Microscope (SEM), after 60 minutes, the second
group after 24 hours and the third group after 7 days of exposure to drinks. The enamel was analysed on the outer surface of the cusps and longitudinal section. Dentin was analysed on longitudinal section. An individually adopted scale
was used for determination of the degree of erosive changes
of these dental tissues. The data were analysed using the
analysis of varance (ANOVA). Results. The pH levels of
the tested beverages was bellow the critical pH for enamel
demineralisation. The SEM images showed different intensity of erosive changes caused by the tested beverages. The
analysis by ANOVA revealed a significant difference between all groups of the treated samples, after 60 minutes of
exposure to beverages. The highest values of erosive changes showed the samples that were immersed in Schweppes
Bitter Lemon. The analysis of the samples after 24 hours
and 7 days showed that the samples immersed in Coca-Cola
and Schweppes Bitter Lemon can be classified as one group
that was statistically significantly different compared with
the control samples and samples immersed in carbonated
water. Conclusion. Prolonged exposure of dental tissue to
carbonated beverages cause erosive changes and a loss of
surface profile.
