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CHANGES IN DENTAL HARD TISSUES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ENERGY
DRINKS IN MILITARY PERSONNEL AND IMPROVEMENT OF PREVENTIVE
MEASURES
Madmarov Mahmud Marufovich
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6580-0765
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15201099
Abstract.
Energy drinks are used to increase physical endurance and alertness, improve
reaction time, improve concentration, and stimulate metabolism during sports, driving, and
other outdoor activities. The most commonly consumed energy drinks contain large amounts
of "carbohydrates" such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and synthetic maltodextrins. On the
other hand, energy drinks contain "caffeine, plant extracts of guarana, ginseng, and ginkgo
biloba, B vitamins, amino acids such as taurine, amino acid derivatives such as carnitine, and
sugar derivatives."
Keywords
. Caffeine, psychostimulant, taurine, etiopathogenetic views, platelet
aggregation, tachycardia.
The composition of energy drinks is dangerous for dental health. Acids present in drinks
create an environment that promotes the destruction of tooth enamel. It is important to
understand that even with rare consumption of drinks, the negative impact on teeth can be
significant[1,4].
According to various studies, the high acidity levels in energy drinks can cause a rapid
decrease in the pH level in the mouth. When the pH level drops below 5.5, the process of
demineralization of tooth enamel begins, making it vulnerable to caries. The sugar content is
also a major problem, as it promotes plaque formation and the proliferation of bacteria that
feed on sugar and secrete acid.
Experts recommend limiting the consumption of energy drinks or taking measures to
reduce their negative impact. But not everyone is aware of how to properly care for their
teeth after drinking such drinks. Acids in energy drinks (citric, phosphoric, etc.) lead to the
gradual destruction of the protective layer of teeth. With regular consumption of drinks, the
enamel becomes thinner, the teeth become more sensitive to temperature changes and
irritants. If you brush your teeth immediately after drinking the drink, this can increase the
damage to the enamel, since at the moment of weakening of the enamel, the effect of the
toothbrush becomes even more aggressive [2,5].
Sugar in energy drinks also plays an important role. It is “food” for bacteria, which, when
processing sugar, release acids. These acids further destroy enamel, which contributes to the
development of caries. In addition, according to dental studies, energy drinks significantly
increase the risk of caries, especially in people with reduced salivation or other oral features
[2,5]. To reduce the risks, dentists recommend rinsing your mouth with water or using special
products to neutralize acidity after drinking energy drinks.
When tooth enamel is damaged, the mouth becomes more susceptible to bacteria due to
the lack of protection provided by the enamel. If bacteria gets into the teeth, it can lead to
serious dental problems. Without enamel protection, teeth can become sensitive. This can
cause pain and discomfort when eating certain foods. Inflammation of the roots of the teeth
and bleeding gums can occur. Since caffeine destroys tooth enamel, teeth can be subject to
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decay and decay. The consequences of decay can be very serious, since the enamel does not
recover after damage. The type of acid and the ingredients included in the composition also
affect the erosive potential of energy drinks.
Citric acid, also known as acidifier 330 in the International Food Additive Numbering
System [3], is widely used in soft drinks. Due to its chelating ability, which is responsible for
the removal of calcium from saliva and teeth, this acid is one of the most powerful. The citrate
anion has the ability to chelate calcium. The chelating effect is supplemented by the erosive
potential of the released proton ions. According to numerous studies, drinks containing citric
acid with a low pH have the greatest erosive capacity[3,6].
It has been found that drinks containing citric acid have a higher erosive potential than
drinks containing maleic acid. Surface degradation can also be adversely affected by the acidic
nature of energy drinks. Subsurface ions such as Ca, Al and silicon will be lost. Surface
degradation may begin. This may result in decreased wear resistance and surface roughness.
Surface roughness due to wear and chemical degradation may also affect the "gloss" and
consequently increase external staining. One study reported that resin materials are
susceptible to surface roughness degradation after immersion in sports drinks. The pH of
energy drinks may cause erosion of composite resins under acidic conditions. Acids contained
in these drinks may penetrate the resin matrix and release unreacted monomers into the
environment. This may result in decreased surface hardness values of composite resins[2,5].
Problems caused by energy drinks often begin with increased tooth sensitivity. When
enamel is damaged, it stops performing its protective function, which leads to discomfort
when eating hot, cold, sour and sweet foods. Gradually, the situation can worsen, and patients
begin to suffer from chronic pain associated with enamel erosion.
Caries is the next serious consequence. On average, people who regularly consume
energy drinks face the problem of caries much more often than those who avoid them. High
acidity and sugar in the drinks create an ideal environment for the rapid reproduction of
pathogenic bacteria, which leads to the rapid spread of caries.
Enamel erosion is another negative consequence that is difficult to correct without the
intervention of a dentist. Deep erosion often requires the installation of crowns or veneers,
which is associated with additional costs for dental treatment.
It is not easy to completely avoid harm when consuming energy drinks, but you can
minimize the negative effects by following simple recommendations. First, it is important to
limit the frequency of consumption. Dentists recommend consuming energy drinks only when
necessary and avoiding their regular use.
Secondly, after taking energy drinks, it is useful to rinse your mouth with plain water or
use a rinse with a neutralizing effect. This will help reduce the acidity in your mouth and
protect your enamel from further destruction. Brushing your teeth immediately after drinking
is not recommended - it is better to wait at least 30 minutes so that your saliva has time to
neutralize some of the acids.
Thirdly, if you frequently consume energy drinks, it is advisable to use toothpastes and
rinses containing fluoride. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and reduce its susceptibility to
destruction by acids. Those who often feel the need for energy and energy support should
consider alternative ways to increase energy. For example, strong tea or natural coffee
contain caffeine, but do not have the same level of acidity and sugar, which makes them less
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harmful to teeth. Green tea, rich in antioxidants, also helps improve attention and
concentration, but does not have a negative effect on enamel.
When tooth enamel is damaged, the mouth becomes more susceptible to bacteria due to
the lack of protection provided by the enamel. If bacteria gets into the teeth, it can lead to
serious dental problems. Without enamel protection, teeth can become sensitive. This can
cause pain and discomfort when eating certain foods. Inflammation of the roots of the teeth
and bleeding gums can occur. Since caffeine destroys tooth enamel, teeth can be subject to
decay and decay. The consequences of decay can be very serious, since the enamel does not
recover after damage. The type of acid and the ingredients included in the composition also
affect the erosive potential of energy drinks.
Saliva is essential for maintaining oral health because it washes away food particles,
neutralizes acids, and helps remineralize tooth enamel. The risk of dental problems such as
cavities and bad breath increases when saliva production decreases. Energy drinks often
contain artificial colors and additives that can cause tooth discoloration in the long term.
Unsightly tooth discoloration can result from a combination of acidic properties and
chromogens in the drinks. Long-term consumption of energy drinks can cause noticeable
staining of teeth and can ruin the aesthetics of your smile.
Energy drink components may be particularly damaging to the teeth of children and
adolescents because mineralization in immature permanent enamel is not complete, allowing
for increased susceptibility to the aggressive nature (of these drinks). However, previous
studies have shown inconclusive results when comparing the dissolution rates of primary and
permanent enamel. In the present study, the percentage of mass loss in primary enamel
samples was lower (although not statistically proven) compared to permanent enamel
samples [6]. Primary enamel of teeth has a higher degree of porosity and a lower degree of
mineralization than permanent enamel, suggesting that primary enamel is more susceptible
to the effects of soft drinks.
In which the sensitivity of primary and permanent enamel to citric acid was studied, it
was found that primary enamel was more susceptible to dissolution than its permanent
counterpart. In this study, the primary enamel samples included small areas of dentin tissue,
which may have affected the percentage of mass loss. A possible reason for the reduced mass
loss of primary enamel could be the buffering properties of the organic components of dentin,
and the collagen content served as a barrier to diffusion in the low pH environment of soft
drinks. Dentists have a responsibility to advise their patients on the consumption of foods and
drinks that may be detrimental to dental health. Most foods and drinks do not have a
significant effect on dental health.
Citric acid, also known as acidifier 330 in the International Food Additive Numbering
System [3], is widely used in soft drinks. Due to its chelating ability, which is responsible for
the removal of calcium from saliva and teeth, this acid is one of the most powerful. The citrate
anion has the ability to chelate calcium. The chelating effect is supplemented by the erosive
potential of the released proton ions. According to numerous studies, drinks containing citric
acid with a low pH level have the greatest erosive ability.
Thus, regular consumption of energy drinks can cause irreparable harm to teeth,
especially if preventive measures are not taken. Patients who care about their dental health
should consider reducing the amount of energy drinks in their diet or replacing them with
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drinks that are safer for teeth. It is also important to remember the need for regular oral care
and timely visits to the dentist for professional consultation and prevention.
Foydalanilgan adabiyotlar/Используемая литература/References:
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3.
Getman N.V. Adhesive systems. Communication 1: Etching. Conditioning / N.V. Getman,
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Electronic scientific and educational bulletin "Health and education in the 21st century".
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