University students' awareness and knowledge of dental erosion and some beverages that may cause it

Dental erosion is the irreversible loss of tooth structure due to acids. One key source of extrinsic acids is the beverages we consume. Of significance is the pH of these beverages at the time of consumption and the frequency, duration and timing that these acidic beverages are consumed.The erosive potential via measurement of the pH of 177 non-alcoholic commercial beverages were tested using a calibrated benchtop meter and probe was used.The awareness and knowledge of university dental students was assessed using an online questionnaire using a convenience sample of 421 from CSU.the study revealed that most (87.47%) commercially available non-alcoholic beverages tested were erosive. The awareness of erosion was determined to be 8% lower (p<0.001) with an 1% higher knowledge (p=0.005) and higher consumption of acidic drinks (p<0.001) per day and with a higher risk (without food) per increased year of age.Those with knowledge of DE were 100% more likely to correctly identify acidic beverages (p<0.001 and consumed 42%L less acidic beverages per day (p<0.001).Older lay individuals would benefit form education on the reduction in frequency, duration and timing of exposure to acidic drinks to prevent DE.