Prevalence of Dental Erosion: Influence of Diet and Salivary Characteristics

Objective: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence and severity of dental erosion among 12-year-old schoolchildren in Piracicaba, southeastern Brazil, and to determine if gender, dietary habit, and salivary characteristic (salivary flow rate, buffer capacity and pH) influences the prevalence of erosion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 389 schoolchildren. A survey was made with data of dietary habits, oral hygiene practices and medical background. The dental erosion index proposed by O'Sullivan (2000) was used. Whole-fresh-saliva was collected and analyzed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (location, distribution, extension of affected area, and severity of dental erosion), Pearson's Chi-square or Fisher's Exact test and logistic regression tests to obtain odds-ratios and confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of dental erosion was 25.7%. There was no statistically significant difference in prevalence between boys and girls (P>0.001). Bucal surfaces were the most affected region (57.97%). Enamel loss was the most prevalent type of dental erosion (65.1%). Fifty-six percent of affected teeth showed more than a half of their surface affected. Overall no significant difference was found among salivary characteristics and prevalence of erosion (P>0.001). Most children presented good salivary characteristics: high flow rate (71.7%), high buffer capacity (63.2%), and non-acidic pH (96.4%). Results indicate that the main risk factor for dental erosion was frequent consumption of soft drinks (OR=2.0989 [CI95%(OR)=0.2496-17.6506]). Conclusion: The prevalence of dental erosion in 12-year-old schoolchildren living in a small city in southeastern Brazil could be considered high. Extrinsic factor (consumption of soft drink) was related to dental erosion. Salivary characteristics seem to have no influence with dental erosion. Health education programs and preventive measures should be implemented to prevent this disease (Financial support: FAPESP # 07/54087-9).