Effects of Calcium on the Erosive Potential of Acidic Candies in Saliva

Abstract

Theoretical calculations have shown that acidic candies may be potentially erosive upon consumption. However, little is known about the protective effect of adding calcium to potentially erosive candies and about the protective effects of saliva that cannot be fully accounted for by theoretical calculations. Therefore, the aims of this study were to (1) determine the erosive potential of acidic candies with and without calcium and (2) to determine differences between theoretically calculated erosive potential and actual erosive potential in saliva. Twenty healthy test persons sucked acidic candy with and without calcium while their whole saliva was collected into a closed system at different times: baseline, candy-stimulated, and post-stimulated. The erosive potential of the candy was evaluated from candy-induced changes in saliva degree of saturation with respect to hydroxyapatite (HAp) and directly by dissolution of HAp crystals in candy-stimulated saliva. The results showed that similar salivary stimulation was obtained with both candies. The modified candy released more than 13 mmol/l of calcium into saliva, resulting in a lower critical pH, and considerably lower erosive potential than the control (p < 0.001). Although a significant correlation was obtained between theoretical calculation of DS_HAp and dissolution of HAp crystals (r_s = 0.65; p < 0.001), many samples obtained by sucking modified candy showed no signs of HAp dissolution in spite of being undersaturated. We conclude that saturation levels and critical pH may not fully reflect when dental erosion is expected to occur in saliva and that calcium addition reduces the erosive potential of acidic candies.

Erosive Potential of Commercially Available Candies

“…A recent study showed that the consumption of acid candies with calcium resulted in lower critical pH and significantly less erosive potential than acid candies without calcium [26]. However, the lack of measurement of the content of these ions is a study limitation.…”

A laboratory investigation of consumer addition of UHT milk to lessen the erosive potential of fizzy drinks

“…16 Furthermore, an in vitro study has demonstrated that the addition of calcium to acidic candies results in a reduction of their capacity to bring about dental erosion. 17 Such additions, especially in the form of consumer self-modifi cation with other edible products, are unlikely to raise regulatory obstacles.…”

The erosive potential of candy sprays

“…This is in agreement with comparable studies showing the erosive potential of solid acidic candies. [21][22][23][24][25] The smallest decrease in salivary pH in vivo was observed after administration of a single dose of 'Magic spray strawberry' . This is probably related to three factors.…”