The release of zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium from the mineral tissue of teeth under the influence of soft drinks and sour-tasting food

Connect Tissue Res. 2012;53(3):229-35. doi: 10.3109/03008207.2011.629765. Epub 2011 Dec 5.

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim of identifying the effects of consuming sour-tasting food and refreshing drinks on the bone tissue of teeth among teenagers. The cumulative effect of a year-long exposure of teeth to the erosive effects of a model system of acidic media (citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, apple vinegar, lemonade, the soft drink Sprite, mineral water) was studied. The effects were registered based on the amount of released biometal ions, of zinc and copper, and toxic lead, during a period of 24 hr at room temperature, using the potentiometric stripping analysis. In the given time span, amounts ranging from 75 to 750 ppm of zinc, from 0.1 to 1.0 ppm of copper, and up to 1.5 ppm of lead were released from the dental matrix, while the release of cadmium was below the level of detection. The changes to the mineral structure of the bone tissue were monitored by the Fourier's transformation infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy technique. These studies have shown that under the influence of an acidic medium significant erosion to the tooth enamel ensues and that the eroded surfaces had a radius of 1-5 μm.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acids / adverse effects
  • Adolescent
  • Cadmium / analysis
  • Cadmium / metabolism
  • Carbonated Beverages / adverse effects*
  • Copper / analysis
  • Copper / metabolism
  • Food*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lead / analysis
  • Lead / metabolism
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis
  • Metals, Heavy / metabolism*
  • Tooth / drug effects*
  • Tooth / ultrastructure
  • Tooth Demineralization / chemically induced*
  • Tooth Demineralization / metabolism
  • Tooth Erosion / chemically induced*
  • Tooth Erosion / metabolism
  • Tooth, Deciduous
  • Zinc / analysis
  • Zinc / metabolism

Substances

  • Acids
  • Metals, Heavy
  • Cadmium
  • Lead
  • Copper
  • Zinc