Rashika Singhania, Tanu Nangia, Gauri Kalra, Madhulika Srivastava, Arjun P Mane, Carrolene Langpoklakpam
The study underscores the dual role of mouthguards, that is, not only their well-established benefit in preventing dental trauma, as reported in previous studies, but also their potential function as a protective barrier against acid-induced enamel demineralization. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm and substantiate these beneficial effects of mouthguard use.
AIM: To evaluate and compare tooth surface pH and salivary pH at various time intervals using different directives of sports drink and mouthguard among adolescents involved in contact sports.
METHODOLOGY: This study involved 125 athletes aged 10-19 years, each provided with a mouthguard customized to their dentition. During a 40-minute physical activity session, participants consumed a sports drink either with or without water and with or without a mouthguard at 10-minute intervals. Salivary and tooth surface pH levels were recorded at baseline and at each break. The study was conducted over four consecutive weeks in four phases- Phase 1 (Sports drink without mouthguard), Phase 2 (Sports drink and water without mouthguard), Phase 3 (Sports drink with mouthguard), Phase 4 (Sports drink and water with mouthguard), altering the directives for sports drink consumption and mouthguard use. Data was analysed using Power BI and Python 3.11.4, with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test for statistical comparisons.
RESULTS: The results demonstrated that wearing a mouthguard helped maintain tooth surface and salivary pH stability when consuming sports drinks, with or without water. In contrast, without a mouthguard (phases 1 and 2), a significant pH drop was observed (p < 0.05), particularly at 20 and 30 min, though partial recovery occurred with water intake.
CONCLUSION: The study underscores the dual role of mouthguards, that is, not only their well-established benefit in preventing dental trauma, as reported in previous studies, but also their potential function as a protective barrier against acid-induced enamel demineralization. However, further well-designed studies are required to confirm and substantiate these beneficial effects of mouthguard use.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of this study provide clear guidelines for the safe consumption of sports drinks among adolescent athletes, while also emphasizing the dual role of mouthguards in preventing both dental trauma and the erosive effects of these beverages.
CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY-INDIA (CTRI) REGISTRATION NUMBER: CTRI/2023/10/058189.