Assesssment of dental wear factors in young adults

Objective:

This study investigated the prevalence of tooth wear in young adults and associate with factors of risk.

Methods:

The sample was constituted by dentistry students (n=100) of the University of São Paulo. The sample was grouped independent of the ethnic group, gender or socio-economic condition. The study was composed by the following phases: a) calibrated of the examiners; b) application of questionnaire regarding the habits; c) clinical exam and d) evaluation of sensibility. The exam was preceded by tooth brushing for removal of the biofilm dental and sustenance, facilitating the diagnosis. The index adopted was the DWI proposed by Sales-Peres (2005) for evaluation of the dental wear and the evaluation of dentin sensibility was evaluated with Corona (2003). Tooth wear was assessed by a properly calibrated examiner (kappa> 0.90). Data on the rate and frequency of dietary intake, history including gastroesophageal reflux, frequent vomiting, report of pain, tooth pressing, object biting, tooth clenching or grinding, chewing difficulty and oral hygiene practices were obtained by application of a questionnaire. Descriptive statistic and Spearman and Mann-Whitney test were applied to the data. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%.

Results:

The results showed that 54% of the students had tooth wear in dentin and 11-12% presented dentine sensibility. The variables alcoholic beverages consumption and tooth brushing frequencies, and use of fluoride mouthrinse can be considered factors of risk for tooth wear in young adults (p<0.05). The other variables evaluated were not associated with the presence of tooth wear (p>0.05).

Conclusions:

The present study support that dietary habits, especially the alcoholic beverages consumption, and oral hygiene practices can be associated with tooth wear.