Avaliação do potencial cariogênico e erosivo de medicamentos e suplementos vitamínicos e minerais líquidos pediátricos

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory chronic illnesses such allergies or recurrent acute illnesses often affect children and require the use of medicines. Pharmaceutical formulations low in pH and high in titratable total acidicity used frequently and over long periods, it has the potential to produce erosive lesions in teeth. The high concentration of sucrose, as well as the night use and the lack of hygiene after its administration are some factors that can contribute to the cariogenic potential of these formulations. Objective: To evaluate in vitro the cariogenic and erosive potential of medicines and liquid vitamins and mineral supplements for pediatric use. Material and method: For this study were selected drugs of different therapeutic classes (n=41) and liquid vitamins and mineral supplements (n=12) prescribed for children and analyzed for their physicochemical properties, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA) and total soluble solids concentration (TSS/°Brix). The package inserts and labels were analyzed to identify the composition regarding the content of sugars and acidulants, in addition to the side effects related to salivary flow. Results: The medicines varied in terms of pH values, with the lowest mean observed in the class of antihistamines and the highest in the class of corticosteroids. As for the TTA at pH 5.5, vitamin and mineral supplements and medicines showed significant variation between the means found (p<0.05), which were higher in the class of antihistamines and lower in the bronchodilators (p<0.05). The TTA results at pH 7.0 showed that, among the pharmaceutical formulations analyzed, the highest mean found was in the class of antihistamines and the lowest in the class of drugs that contain the association of antitussives and antihistamines. The amount of TSS varied significantly (p<0.05) in all classes of medicines and in vitamin and mineral supplements. Conclusion: Most medicines and pediatric liquid vitamin and mineral supplements showed low pH values, high TTA and the presence of sucrose that constitute risk factors for the development of dental caries and erosion.