1Department of prosthodontics, Osh state university, Osh, Kyrgyzstan. ORCID:0000-0001-8623-4470. Email: daniel.emiliya.daniyarovy@gmail.com
2Department of maxilla-facial surgery, Osh Interregional United Clinical Hospital Osh, Kyrgyzstan. ORCID: 0000-0003-2617-8360. Email: Eshiev-abdyrakhman@rambler.ru
3Department of Pathology, International Higher School of Medicine, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. ORCID: 0009-0002-0529-9964. Email: arstanbekov72@inbox.ru
4Westcliff University, Irvine, California, USA. ORCID: 0009-0006-0567-0080. Email: orozbayevalikhan@gmail.com
5Department of pediatric dentistry, Osh State University, Osh, Kyrgyzstan. ORCID: 0009-0001-2802-3146. Email: akunovnursultan0@gmail.com
Background: Energy drink consumption has risen sharply worldwide and in Kyrgyzstan, particularly among young adults. These beverages contain high levels of acids, sugars and stimulants that may accelerate dental erosion, caries formation and physiological disturbances in the oral environment.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of energy drink consumption among university students and to evaluate the effects of energy drinks on dental hard tissues through laboratory analysis.
Materials and Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,100 students aged 16–24 years at Osh State University. The questionnaire covered demographic factors, dietary habits, energy drink use and awareness of health risks. The experimental component involved a 14-day in vitro exposure of extracted teeth to an energy drink ("Flash") with 0.9% NaCl as control. Outcomes included changes in tooth mass, enamel microhardness, Ca/P ratio and X-ray phase characteristics. Salivary pH was assessed in 25 consumers and 25 non-consumers at baseline and up to 60 minutes after ingestion. Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson's χ² and relevant parametric tests.
Results: Energy drink use was reported by 54.2% of students and was associated with irregular eating patterns, smoking and alcohol intake. Caries prevalence among consumers was significantly higher (31.6%) than among non-consumers (2.7%). Salivary pH in consumers dropped from 6.68 ± 0.12 to 5.82 ± 0.14 within 15 minutes of ingestion and remained below baseline at 60 minutes. Experimentally exposed teeth showed a 7.15% mass loss, a 20.4% reduction in microhardness and a decrease in the Ca/P ratio (1.67 → 1.55), with X-ray analysis indicating partial hydroxyapatite degradation.
Conclusion: Energy drinks pose a significant risk to dental hard tissues and oral health. Findings support the need for preventive education and reduction of acidic beverage consumption among students.
Keywords: Energy drinks; dental erosion; dental caries; enamel demineralization; salivary pH.
How to cite this article: Abdirasulova TA, Eshiev AM, Arstanbekov MM, Orozbaev A, Akunov NA. Influence of various energy drinks on dental hard tissues of Osh State University students. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(5s): 767-778. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.5s.91
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None