Effects of various sport drink modifications on dental caries and erosion in rats with controlled eating and drinking...

A sport drink mixture, pH 3.2, containing 6% sucrose, was given to Osborne-Mendel rats, either as such or supplemented with 15 ppm fluoride, 38.5 ppm magnesium or both. Distilled water was given to the control groups. The rats were fed either a slightly cariogenic, powdered food containing 15% sucrose, or commercial pellets. Food and drink were available ad libitum for 6 weeks. A feeding machine was used to facilitate control of eating and drinking pattern. Daily intake of powdered, sugar-containing food was significantly smaller than that of pellets and, on the other hand, sport drink was consumed significantly more than distilled water. However, an appropriate energy balance was achieved with all of the dietary combinations, and no significant differences in weight gains were found. Sport drink did not significantly promote caries but induced marked erosion on the lingual surfaces of the lower molar teeth. Addition of fluoride to the sport drink significantly reduced caries (caused by powdered food) and had preventive effect on erosion, while addition of magnesium had no clear effect on either caries or erosion. No significant intergroup differences were found in eating or drinking patterns due to fluoride or magnesium additions.