[Acidic candies affect saliva secretion rates and oral fluid acidity]

After the observation of a 9-year-old child with dental erosion in a general dental practice, the erosive potential of acidic candies was investigated in a 4-, an 8-, and a 12-year-old child. The saliva secretion rate and the acidity of the oral fluid of these children were measured before, during and after consumption of several types of candies. Consumption of most types of candies was finished after 2 minutes approximately. During the 2 minutes, the saliva secretion rate increased to minimally 2 and maximally 3.5 ml/min, with a concomitant pH decrease to less than 5 and even to 4. These effects disappeared within 2 minutes, suggesting that frequent consumption of acidic candies may contribute to the development of dental erosion.