CARIOGENICITY OF CHILDREN'S MEDICINES: EVALUATION OF THIS POTENTIAL IN AN IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Children's medications contain flavorings and sweeteners used to ease children's acceptance by lessening their unpleasant taste. On the other hand, the high concentration of sugars added to formulas can promote demineralization of dental tissue and the formation of caries lesions in the absence of adequate oral hygiene. The main objective of this study was to analyze the cariogenic potential of different pediatric medications. Eight pediatric medications were analyzed: Amoxicillin, Dipyrone Monosodium, Paracetamol, Dropropizine, Ibuprofen, Bronpheniramine Maleate + Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, Nitazoxanide, Sulfamethoxazole + Trimethoprim. The total and reducing sugar levels in each sample were determined in triplicate using the Lane-Eynon (Fehling) method. It was observed that the highest total sugar content (37.26%), as well as reducing sugar (22.98%) was found in one of the Amoxicillin samples (A3 and AR3), and their pH values were the lowest: 5.6 and 5.7, respectively. The lowest total sugar content (17.87%), as well as reducing sugar (3.13%) was present in one of the Dropropizine samples. The other medications did not present fermentable sugars, but only sweetening substances. It is concluded that Amoxicillin was the medication with the greatest cariogenic potential, followed by Dropropizine; however, there are also those that present sugar-free formulations, reflecting an advance in the industry in the replacement by non-cariogenic sweeteners.