Br Dent J. 1997 Apr 26;182(8):303-8.
Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool.
AIM: To assess dental status and sports supplement uptake in swimmers and cyclists. To
determine chemico-physical properties of the most popular sports drinks. DESIGN:
Descriptive, prevalence study of tooth wear and caries experience. Questionnaire
analysis of sports drinks usage. SETTING: Two public swimming pools in Liverpool
and three cycle clubs in North West England. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A convenience sample
of swimmers and cyclists was examined for caries and tooth wear. A questionnaire
ascertained which sports drinks were consumed and their pattern of consumption. pH
and titratable acidity, concentrations of calcium, phosphate and fluoride, and viscosity
were analysed. Salivary flow rate in response to these drinks and water was also
determined. RESULTS: 25 swimmers and 20 cyclists participated. Caries experience and
tooth wear into dentine (excluding incisally exposed dentine) was significantly more
frequent among cyclists (P < 0.05). Cyclists had significantly more upper palatal
wear (P < 0.001). Pattern of sport drink consumption between the two groups was
significantly different (P < 0.001). pH range of the most popular sport drinks
was 2.4-4.5. Salivary flow rate after a 1-minute rinse was significantly lower
(P < 0.05) with one drink (0.47 ml/min) and water (0.41 ml/min) compared with the
other drinks. CONCLUSIONS: An association between caries or erosive tooth wear and sport
drink consumption was not found. However, the erosive potential of sport drinks is real
and must be borne in mind as an aetiological factor for erosion in young people.