THE IMPACT OF SUGAR-SWEETENED AND SUGAR-FREE CARBONATED BEVERAGES ON DENTAL ENAMEL EROSION - LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction and Aim: Dental erosion is defined as a non-carious loss of mineralized tooth structure caused by acids that do not originate from bacterial activity. Acidic carbonated beverages, including both sugar-sweetened and sugar-free products, represent important extrinsic factors that may contribute to enamel demineralization, surface softening, and erosive tooth wear. Although sugar-free drinks are commonly regarded as healthier alternatives to conventional soft drinks, their acidic composition may still have a harmful effect on dental tissues. The aim of this review is to compare the impact of sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages and their sugar-free equivalents on dental enamel and general health. Materials and Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed using advanced searches in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. English-language articles published within the last twenty years were included. The analyzed literature comprised clinical and observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Conclusions: Although non-caloric sweeteners may reduce sugar intake and lower the risk of dental caries associated with fermentable carbohydrates, beverages containing these sweeteners may still promote dental enamel erosion due to their acidic composition. Therefore, replacing sucrose with artificial or natural low-calorie sweeteners does not fully eliminate the potential adverse effects of soft drinks on dental hard tissues.