Assessment Of The Effect Of Carbonated Drinks On The Surface Of Enamel Using A Scanning Electron Microscope
Keywords:
Bisleri, Coca-Cola, Erosion, Obesity, Pepsi and SEMAbstract
Background: Soft drink consumption has recently increased significantly. According to studies, drinking beverages with added sugar increases calorie intake, which in turn causes obesity. The findings of research reports indicated that the majority of beverages have acidic properties. As a result, prolonged exposure to such a solution may cause erosion, which would erode the hard tissues of the teeth. This study aimed to determine how carbonated beverages affect the enamel's surface.
Methods: The sound teeth were collected and divided into three groups based on exposure (Group I - Pepsi + Bisleri (n=6), Group II - Coca-Cola (n=6), Group lll - Controlled (n=3)). Teeth were sterilised with 1% Hypochlorite solution and cleaned with double-distilled water using a bath sonicator. The teeth were incubated with Coca-Cola (15 mL), Pepsi (15 mL), and Bisleri (15 mL) for 7 days and 14 days. SEM and EDS analyses were performed at 7 and 14 days.
Result: Compared to the Control (unexposed) group, exposed groups had more damage and loss of enamel surface at 7 days, as well as 14 days, tooth damage was more serious. In addition, compared to a single drink, combined exposure to two or more soft drinks at a particular time caused the loss of enamel structure. EDS analysis showed differences in Ca, P, O, and C wt % between the three groups. Exposed groups had less Ca, P and more C wt % compared to unexposed. This clearly suggests the detrimental effect of soft drinks on the enamel surface with longer exposure.
Conclusion:
Conclusively, the effect of carbonated drinks on the surface of enamel can be assessed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Consuming two or more soft drinks at a particular time causes more damage to the enamel surface
Downloads
References
Lile IE, Stana O, Marian D, Cojocariu C, Vaida LL, Samoilă AOJ, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Beverage-Induced Surface Alterations on Dental Enamel: An In Vitro Biomaterial Study. Bioengineering (Basel) [Internet]. 2026 Mar 22;13(3). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering13030369
2. Świetlicka I, Tomaszewska E, Muszyński S, Świetlicki M, Skrzypek T, Grudziński W, et al. Surface and Structural Studies of Age-Related Changes in Dental Enamel: An Animal Model. Materials (Basel) [Internet]. 2022 Jun 3;15(11). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma15113993
3. Serbanoiu DC, Vartolomei AC, Ghiga DV, Moldovan M, Sarosi C, Petean I, et al. A Comparative Analysis of Enamel Surface Roughness Following Various Interproximal Reduction Techniques: An Examination Using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Biomedicines [Internet]. 2024 Jul 23;12(8). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081629
4. Yang SY, Kwon JS, Kim KN, Kim KM. Enamel Surface with Pit and Fissure Sealant Containing 45S5 Bioactive Glass. J Dent Res [Internet]. 2016 May;95(5):550–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022034515626116
5. Lile IE, Hajaj T, Veja I, Hosszu T, Vaida LL, Todor L, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Natural Mouthrinses and Chlorhexidine in Dental Plaque Management: A Pilot Randomised Clinical Trial. Healthcare (Basel) [Internet]. 2025 May 19;13(10). Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101181
6. Wang YL, Chang CC, Chi CW, Chang HH, Chiang YC, Chuang YC, et al. Erosive potential of soft drinks on human enamel: An in vitro study [Internet]. Vol. 113, Journal of the Formosan Medical Association. 2014. p. 850–6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfma.2014.06.002
7. Gambon DL, Brand HS, Veerman ECI. Dental erosion in the 21st century: what is happening to nutritional habits and lifestyle in our society? Br Dent J [Internet]. 2012 Jul 27;213(2):55–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.2012.613
8. Ren YF, Zhao Q, Malmstrom H, Barnes V, Xu T. Assessing fluoride treatment and resistance of dental enamel to soft drink erosion in vitro: Applications of focus variation 3D scanning microscopy and stylus profilometry [Internet]. Vol. 37, Journal of Dentistry. 2009. p. 167–76. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2008.09.008
9. Al-Khateeb S, Exterkate R, Angmar-Månsson B, ten Cate JM. Effect of acid-etching on remineralisation of enamel white spot lesions. Acta Odontol Scand [Internet]. 2000 Feb;58(1):31–6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/000163500429406
10. Barac R, Gasic J, Trutic N, Sunaric S, Popovic J, Djekic P, et al. Erosive Effect of Different Soft Drinks on Enamel Surface in vitro: Application of Stylus Profilometry. Med Princ Pract [Internet]. 2015 Jun 19;24(5):451–7. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000433435
11. Owens BM, Kitchens M. The Erosive Potential of Soft Drinks on Enamel Surface Substrate: An In Vitro Scanning Electron Microscopy Investigation [Internet]. Vol. 8, The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2007. p. 11–20. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5005/jcdp-8-7-11
12. Beltrán K, School of Dentistry, Universidad Andrés Bello. Concepción, Chile, Cardona W, Department of Chemistry, et al. Erosive effect of energy drinks alone and mixed with alcohol on the human enamel surface. An in vitro study [Internet]. Vol. 6, Journal of Oral Research. 2017. p. 12–5. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.17126/joralres.2017.003
13. Fujii M, Kitasako Y, Sadr A, Tagami J. Roughness and pH changes of enamel surface induced by soft drinks in vitro-applications of stylus profilometry, focus variation 3D scanning microscopy and micro pH sensor [Internet]. Vol. 30, Dental Materials Journal. 2011. p. 404–10. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4012/dmj.2010-204
14. Al-Amri I, Albounni R, Binalrimal S. Evaluation of the effect of soft drinks on the surface roughness of dental enamel in natural human teeth [Internet]. Vol. 10, F1000Research. 2021. p. 1138. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.55556.1
15. González‐Sotelo A, Contreras‐Bulnes R, Rodríguez‐Vilchis LE, Moyaho‐Bernal MA, Rubio‐Rosas E, Teutle‐Coyotecatl B, et al. Morphological and porosity changes in primary enamel surface after an in vitro demineralisation model [Internet]. Vol. 85, Microscopy Research and Technique. 2022. p. 1956–63. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jemt.24058
16. Pinto SCS, Bandeca MC, Silva CN, Cavassim R, Borges AH, Sampaio JEC. Erosive potential of energy drinks on the dentine surface. BMC Res Notes [Internet]. 2013 Feb 19;6:67. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1756-0500-6-67
17. Wongkhantee S, Patanapiradej V, Maneenut C, Tantbirojn D. Effect of acidic food and drinks on surface hardness of enamel, dentine, and tooth-coloured filling materials. J Dent [Internet]. 2006 Mar;34(3):214–20. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2005.06.003
18. Jain P, Nihill P, Sobkowski J, Agustin MZ. Commercial soft drinks: pH and in vitro dissolution of enamel. Gen Dent [Internet]. 2007 Mar;55(2):150–4; quiz 155, 167–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17333990
19. von Fraunhofer JA, Rogers MM. Effects of sports drinks and other beverages on dental enamel. Gen Dent [Internet]. 2005 Jan;53(1):28–31. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15779219
20. Rios D, Santos FCZ, Honório HM, Magalhães AC, Wang L, de Andrade Moreira Machado MA, et al. An in situ/ex vivo comparison of the ability of regular and light colas to induce enamel wear when erosion is combined with abrasion. Quintessence Int [Internet]. 2011 Mar;42(3):e44–50. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21465003
21. Amaechi BT, Higham SM, Edgar WM. Influence of abrasion on the clinical manifestation of human dental erosion. J Oral Rehabil [Internet]. 2003 Apr;30(4):407–13. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2842.2003.01098.x
22. Dixit S, Goyal S, Singh A, Dhingra A, Grover S, Gupta P. Evaluation of the effect of various drinks on tooth surface morphology under scanning electron microscope. J Conserv Dent Endod [Internet]. 2024 Aug;27(8):811–6. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/JCDE.JCDE_265_24
23. de Paiva MAA, Forte AG, da Cunha JL, de Souza Silva PV, de Sousa EBG, de Oliveira AFB. Analysis of the Surface Morphology of Dental Enamel Exposed to Ready-to-Drink Alcoholic Beverages. Int J Dent [Internet]. 2026 Jan 16;2026:9930736. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ijod/9930736
24. Brown CJ, Smith G, Shaw L, Parry J, Smith AJ. The erosive potential of flavoured sparkling water drinks. Int J Paediatr Dent [Internet]. 2007 Mar;17(2):86–91. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-263X.2006.00784.x
25. Ryu HK, Kim Y do, Heo SS, Kim SC. Effect of carbonated water manufactured by a soda carbonator on etched or sealed enamel. Korean J Orthod [Internet]. 2018 Jan;48(1):48–56. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2018.48.1.48
26. Venkatesan K, Srinivasan B, Padmanabhan S. Adverse effect of consumption of carbonated soft drinks on orthodontic treatment – A systematic review [Internet]. Vol. 32, Indian Journal of Dental Research. 2021. p. 505. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_647_20
27. Nguyen TT, Miller A, Orellana MF. Characterisation of the porosity of human dental enamel and shear bond strength in vitro after variable etch times: initial findings using the BET method. Angle Orthod [Internet]. 2011 Jul;81(4):707–15. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.2319/083010-506.1.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
