Dental erosion is the irreversible pathological loss of hard tissues, which are chemically dissolved by acids, especially through external means, such as diet (e.g., fruit juices, isotonic or energy drinks). This systematic review was designed to answer the question “Is there a relationship between dental erosion and regular physical activity with or without sports drink consumption?” Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, sixteen studies were included in this systematic review (according to PRISMA statement guidelines). Based on the meta-analysis, physically active individuals who declared regular consumption of sports drinks had a more than 2.5-fold increase in the odds of erosive lesions. In general, nearly half of the people who practiced sports experienced tooth erosion, and more than half frequently consumed sports beverages. Despite the heterogeneity of the included studies (different age groups, various sports disciplines), regular physical activity was associated with an increased risk of dental erosion, especially under the influence of frequent consumption of sports drinks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the human population by revealing many health problems, including within the oral cavity. This systematic review was designed to answer the question “Is there a relationship between oral manifestations and SARS-CoV-2 infection?”. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, twenty-seven studies were included (according to PRISMA statement guidelines). Based on the meta-analysis, nearly two-thirds of the SARS-CoV-2 positive patients reported oral symptoms, in particular taste alterations, xerostomia and ulcerations (54.73% [95% CI: 46.28–63.04%], 37.58% [95% CI: 26.35–49.53%], and 21.43% [95% CI: 13.17–31.06%], respectively). In conclusion, despite the conducted systematic review, the increased prevalence of oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection cannot be clearly established due to the possible association of other factors, e.g., individual or environmental factors.

The efficiency of photopolymerisation significantly impacts achieving a high degree of conversion and, consequently, determines the success and strength of resin-based composite (RBC) restorations. The study aimed to measure the light irradiance of selected LED curing lamps, taking into account various exposure modes and the increased distance of the light source from the radiometer surface. The study material consisted of 21 LED polymerisation lamps of a single type (Woodpecker Medical Instrument Co., Guilin, China) with three exposure modes: standard, soft start, and pulse. During the measurement, the distance was increased from 0 mm to 8 mm, every 2 mm. Light irradiance measurements were made with a Bluephase Meter II photometer (Ivoclar Vivadent, Opfikon, Switzerland). Increasing the distance affected the soft mode the most, causing a significant drop in light irradiance on the photometer. Standard mode coped best with distance. Even at a distance of 0 mm, the soft start mode does not reach the power of the standard and pulse modes. The standard mode seems to be the most clinically effective, especially if it is planned to polymerise a material in a deep cavity. The soft start mode, as the least resistant to increasing distance, is recommended for use in front teeth or the cervical area.

The impact of acidic beverages on dental restorative materials, such as composites and glass ionomers, is critical in conservative dentistry. Exposure to an acidic environment can lead to the degradation of these materials, affecting their durability and clinical effectiveness. We aimed to examine the effect of sports drink exposure on the surface roughness of composite and glass ionomer materials. This systematic review was conducted based on the records published from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2024, according to PRISMA statement guidelines, using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were included in this review and 6 in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in surface roughness (Ra parameter) for glass ionomer materials after immersion in sports drinks for one week and one month. No such significant differences were observed for composite materials. Despite the systematic review, the degree of material degradation presented by in vitro studies cannot be directly extrapolated to oral conditions due to factors such as the buffering capacity of saliva or irregular exposure times to sports drinks.

Sports drinks are becoming increasingly popular, especially among young, physically active individuals. The influence of acidic drinks on dental restorative materials, including composites and glass ionomers, is an important concern in conservative dentistry. Acidic conditions can cause material degradation, which may reduce their longevity and clinical performance. We aimed to examine the effect of sports drink exposure on the colour stability of composite and glass ionomer materials. This systematic review was conducted based on records published from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2024, according to the PRISMA statement guidelines, using the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Based on the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 studies were selected for this review, of which 12 were included in a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in colour change (ΔE) for microhybrid composites and nanocomposites after immersion in sports drinks for one month (SMD = 3.04; 95% CI: 0.67 to 5.41, and SMD = 3.00; 95% CI: 1.08 to 4.92, respectively). No such significant differences were observed for nanohybrid materials (SMD = 1.64; p-value = 0.579). Despite the findings of this systematic review, the extent of material degradation observed in in vitro studies cannot be directly translated to clinical oral conditions, as factors such as salivary buffering capacity and variable exposure to sports drinks influence outcomes.

This study evaluated the effect of sports and energy drinks on the surface roughness of three commonly used restorative dental materials: resin-based composites (RBCs), resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs), and conventional glass ionomer cements (GICs). Sixty-three A2-shade specimens of each material were fabricated, stored in distilled water for 24 h, and then immersed in six commercially available beverages or distilled water (control) for 6, 30, or 60 h. Surface roughness was assessed after each immersion period using contact profilometry, and the effects of material type, immersion medium, and exposure time were compared. Surface roughness increased with longer immersion times for all materials, although the magnitude of change varied significantly among material types. RBCs showed the greatest resistance to surface degradation, whereas RMGICs and particularly GICs exhibited progressively higher roughness values over time. Beverages generally produced greater surface roughness than distilled water, with sugar-containing formulations showing higher roughness values than their sugar-free counterparts. Prolonged exposure to sports and energy drinks may adversely affect the surface integrity of restorative materials. Resin-based composites demonstrated the highest resistance to roughness changes, whereas glass ionomer cements were the most susceptible. Increased surface roughness may contribute to plaque accumulation, staining, and material wear, potentially compromising the long-term clinical performance of restorations.