In vitro approach to evaluate potential harmful effects of beer on teeth.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present work was to examine some properties of different brands of beer manufactured in Brazil that may be important to oral health.

METHODS

Samples from seven different beer brands were analyzed for pH, titratable acidity, calcium and phosphate concentrations. Demineralization experiments were carried out by incubating samples with crown tooth particles (40-80 mesh) at 37 degrees C under agitation (100 strokes/min).

RESULTS

The pH was lower than 4.0 for three of the seven samples and higher than 4.0 for the others. The amount of titratable acidity, expressed as the volume of 0.1N NaOH solution consumed to raise the initial pH to 7.0, and the concentrations of calcium and phosphate varied. Calcium concentration ranged from 0.21 to 1.59 micromol/ml, while phosphate concentration varied from 0.048 to 0.094 micromol/ml. Calcium released to the incubation medium was proportional to the time of incubation up to 5min. Maltose, a disaccharide, was detected in all samples studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in the properties examined indicated that some brands of beer studied may have potential dental effects.