DEMINERALIZATION OF TOOTH ENAMEL: A CLINICAL AND LABORATORY ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY DRINK CONSUMPTION AMONG YOUTH IN KYRGYZSTAN

Background: The worldwide consumption of energy drinks shows a substantial rise among young consumers. The high sugar levels and low pH in these beverages lead to dental health problems which include enamel demineralization and erosion. The research aimed to study how energy drinks affect tooth enamel structure and the chemical composition of oral fluids. Materials and Methods: In an in vitro experiment, 30 extracted teeth were divided into two groups. One group was submerged in "Nitro" energy drink for two weeks, while the control group was placed in a physiological saline solution. Changes in tooth mass and morphology were observed using a "CJ OPTIK Flexion Advanced" microscope. This vivo study collected mixed saliva samples from two student groups (n=25 each) consisting of regular energy drink consumers and non-consumers. The researchers measured saliva pH at five different time points which included before consumption and at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after consumption. The Pearson's chi-squared (χ2) test served as the statistical tool for analysis. Results: The in vitro study showed that teeth exposed to the energy drink experienced a significant loss of mass (7.15% of initial mass) and morphological defects, while the control group showed no change. The in vivo study found that 15 minutes after a single consumption of an energy drink, the average salivary pH in the experimental group dropped significantly from a baseline of 6.68 ± 0.12 to 5.82 ± 0.14 (p < 0.05). Although the pH partially recovered to 6.20 ± 0.13 after 60 minutes, it remained significantly lower than both the baseline and the control group's stable pH (6.70–6.77). This prolonged "acid phase" below the critical pH of 5.5, the "point of zero mineralization," creates a persistent risk of enamel demineralization. Conclusion: The initial consumption of an energy drink leads to long-term acidification of oral fluids which reduces buffer capacity and creates conditions that lead to enamel demineralization. The prolonged period of salivary pH recovery indicates that early caries development remains at risk. The prevention of these risks requires public awareness campaigns together with preventive measures that include consumption limits and buffer rinse use and fluoride prophylaxis enhancement. Future research needs to investigate the long-term consequences of energy drinks especially among adolescent populations