Malt drinks and erosion of tooth enamel
What it found
In 10 healthy volunteers, a malt drink caused measurable enamel loss over 10 days, while spring water caused none.
The amount of erosion varied a lot between people.
What they found
Studies in people
Enamel loss in people
The malt drink caused enamel erosion in the volunteers, and the amount varied greatly from person to person. No specimen exposed to spring water showed noticeable erosion.
Studies in people and animals
Lab compared with people
Six malt drinks were tested in the lab first to choose one for the study in people. The study then compared that drink's effect in people with its effect in the lab.
Other findings
Children and young people
The authors say it is likely that more erosion would be seen in children and young people who consume malt drinks under these conditions.
What the authors conclude
“Malt drinks should be considered as potentially erosive as the results for enamel specimens exposed to the test beverage in the clinical study showed a degree of erosion that varied greatly between different participants.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say malt drinks should be considered as potentially erosive.
- They note that the erosion varied greatly between different participants.
- They suggest it is likely that an increase in the degree of erosion would be observed in children and young people who consume malt drinks.
How it was done
Acidic drinks are well known to cause dental erosion, but the role of malt drinks was unclear.
Six malt drinks were first tested in the lab to pick one for the main study. Then 10 healthy volunteers wore removable appliances holding two human enamel specimens, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and drank 250 ml of either the malt drink or natural spring water at midday, over two 10 day periods. Enamel loss was measured after 5 and 10 days.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The study lasted only 10 days, so it cannot show what happens over years of drinking malt drinks.
- It tested one malt drink chosen from six, so the results may not apply to other malt drinks.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Yeditepe University, Turkey
The paper
- Title
- The erosive potential of different malt drinks: an in vitro and in situ study
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Caglar E, Cildir SK, Sandalli N (2008). The erosive potential of different malt drinks: an in vitro and in situ study. The Journal of clinical pediatric dentistry.PubMed 19093649
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error