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. 2022 Jul 26;7(3):102.
doi: 10.3390/biomimetics7030102.

Evaluating the pH of Various Commercially Available Beverages in Pakistan: Impact of Highly Acidic Beverages on the Surface Hardness and Weight Loss of Human Teeth

Naresh Kumar  1 , Faiza Amin  2 , Danya Hashem  3 , Sara Khan  1 , Huma Zaidi  1 , Sehrish Rahman  1 , Tooba Farhan  1 , Syed Junaid Mahmood  4 , Muhammad Asif Asghar  5 , Muhammad Sohail Zafar  3   6
Affiliations

Evaluating the pH of Various Commercially Available Beverages in Pakistan: Impact of Highly Acidic Beverages on the Surface Hardness and Weight Loss of Human Teeth

Naresh Kumar et al. Biomimetics (Basel). .

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the pH of common beverages and to evaluate the effects of common acidic beverages on the surface hardness and weight loss of human tooth specimens. A total of 106 beverages were conveniently purchased from supermarkets in Karachi, Pakistan. Prior to evaluation, beverages were refrigerated or stored at room temperature in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. Beverages were categorized into six groups: ‘Sports and Energy drinks’, ‘Water’, ‘Fruit Juices and Drinks’, ‘Sodas’, ‘Milk and Flavored Milk’ and ‘Teas and Coffee’. Using a pH meter, the pH of each beverage was measured in triplicate at room temperature. In addition, the influence of five highly acidic beverages on the weight loss and surface hardness of human tooth specimens was evaluated using gravimetric analysis and the Vickers hardness tester, respectively. ‘Sports and Energy drinks’, ‘Fruits Juices and Drinks’ and ‘Sodas’ were the most acidic beverage categories, with a pH range of 3.00−5.00. A total of 33% of beverages tested in this study were highly acidic (pH less than 4.00), 29% of beverages were moderately acidic (pH 4.00−4.99) and 31% were mildly acidic (pH 5.00−6.99). Significant weight loss was observed in all immersed specimens compared to control counterparts (p < 0.05). Similarly, for surface hardness, five highly acidic beverages (Red Bull, Pepsi, Apple Cidra, Tang Mosambi and Tang Orange) significantly decreased the surface hardness of specimens (p < 0.05). The pH levels of commonly available beverages in Pakistan are highly acidic, which may encourage loss of minerals from teeth; hence, affecting their surface hardness.

Keywords: beverages; dental erosion; pH; surface hardness; weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation showing the procedure for pH measurement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) Dried disinfected tooth. (b) Sectioning longitudinally using a microtome. (c) Cut into two longitudinal halves.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A schematic diagram showing a complete representation of the experiment from tooth sectioning to measurement of surface hardness and weight.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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