Evaluation of the relationship between pH and titrable acidity of five different of iron supplements with the absorption of iron ions in the anterior primary teeth (an in vitro study)

Abstract

Background: Iron supplement is recommended for alleviating iron deficiency. Black discoloration
of teeth is one of the side effects of consumption of iron supplements. Besides these effects, iron
drops may also act directly on the dental hard tissues, with erosive lesions as possible outcomes
of their content. In this regard, we decided to compare iron absorption of five types of iron drops
in enamel and determine its relationship with pH and titrable acidity (TA) of them.
Materials and Methods: In this in-vitro study The pH of 5 kinds of iron was measured by a
digital pH meter. Each drop was titrated and then the TA was calculated. For this experimental
study, 40 healthy anterior primary teeth were prepared and divided into 5 groups then exposed
to iron drops. The level of iron absorption was determined by atomic absorption. The Pearson
correlation test was used to analysis correlations between pH, TA, and absorption of iron ions in
the anterior primary teeth. One‑way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance
was set at P < 0.05.
Results: The mean of pH in Kharazmi drops was significantly less than both Irovit, and FerroKids
drops (P < 0.05) but did not differ significantly with other drops. Kharazmi drops TA was higher
than all drops (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean iron ion adsorption,
as well as between iron ion absorption with pH and TA also not found a statistically significant
relationship.
Conclusion: All drops have acidic content that increases their potential for erosion. Reducing
the potential of the effects of iron drops on dental hard tissues should be of concern to all health
professionals.
Key Words: Acidity, deciduous tooth, iron