Effects of the Enamel Erosion Caused by Certain Antipyretic and Analgesic Medicines for Children / 치위생과학회지

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to provide basic understanding regarding possible enamel erosion by three kinds of fist-aid antipyretic and analgesic medicines over a period of time, with comparison and analysis of the resulting deciduous teeth surface and microhardness changes. The analysis was performed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to examine the surface erosion and changes. The Kruskal-Wallis test show differences in surface erosion and changes after 3, 5 and 8 days of treatment as well as before and after the treatment in each group. According to the results, there was no significant difference in the early deciduous teeth enamel surface microhardness (p>0.01). However there were signigicant changes after 3, 5, and 8 days (p0.05). In the surface observation with the SEM treatment with Children's Tylenol® tablet, which has the lowest pH, looked the roughest, followed by Brufen syrup for children and Children's Tylenol® suspension. Based on these results, it should be considered that antipyretic and analgesic medicines for children, which have lower pH values, may cause tooth erosion. Hence, it is necessary to give special attention to oral hygiene in young children or infants by brushing their teeth after such drugs are administered.