Evaluation of Cariogenic and Erosive Potentials of Pediatric Liquid Medicines

Introduction and Aim: This study aims to evaluate the cariogenic and erosive effects of pediatric liquid medicines (PLM) on the enamel of primary teeth, which have been increasingly used in children with acute or chronic diseases. Materials and Methods: Five long-term and widely used pediatric drugs (Augmentin, Zimaks, Calpol, Vitabiol, and Ferro Sanol B) were selected for this study. In order to evaluate the erosive and cariogenic potentials of the drugs, the sucrose concentrations, pH values and calcium concentrations they dissolve from the enamel tissue were determined. The samples were subjected to acid incineration with MARS XPress (CEM Brand) Microwave oven. Calcium concentrations were then measured by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP MS). Results: Most of the pediatric liquid drugs (80%) have a pH of less than 5.5. It is therefore critical for enamel to be affected. The syrup with the highest acidity value was Ferro sanol B (average pH 2.96 ± 0.01) and the lowest acidity value was Calpol (average pH 6.42 ± 0.03). All of the pediatric syrup samples we used in our study contain sucrose. Conclusion: As a result, it has been observed that syrups used for various reasons in early childhood may cause erosion on tooth surfaces at different pH and acidity values. All syrups examined have cariogenic effects as they contain sucrose. Calcium transition from enamel to all solutions was observed in all three time intervals for all pediatric liquid drugs. In general, the amount of dissolution increased as the holding time increased. The lowest calcium dissolution rate was observed in the Augmentin syrup sample at the first minute (15.87 mg/L), the highest calcium dissolution rate was observed in the Zimaks syrup sample (609.69 mg/L) at the eighth hour. There is no statistical correlation between the pH values of the syrups and the amount of calcium dissolved from the enamel.) Keywords: Pediatric syrup drugs, ICP-MS, Ph meter