Dental erosion for many years has been a pathology of secondary interest to dental public health authorities, but this point of view is changing. In recent years the occurrence and severity of erosive tooth wear seems to have increased. Various studies have shown that the prevalence of erosive tooth wear has particularly increased among younger population.
Aim: Across-sectional oral health survey of randomly selected sample of 1886, 18-year old adults was carried out in Poland. Tooth wear was diagnosed according to BEWE index. Information about general health, oral hygiene habits, dietary habits, were gathered in a questionnaire.
Materials and methods: Across-sectional oral health survey of randomly selected sample of 1886, 18-year old adults was carried out in Poland. Tooth wear was diagnosed according to BEWE index. Information about general health, oral hygiene habits, dietary habits, were gathered in a questionnaire.
Results: Out of 1886 young adults 42% had signs of dental erosion. Early damage to the enamel (BEWE 1) was diagnosed in 28.9% patients. More advanced lesions (BEWE 2) were observed in 12% of patients and the highest score (BEWE 3) was diagnosed in 1.4% of the examined population. About 85,7% of the population answered "I feel healthy", 2,7% had gastroesophageal reflux disease, 8,5% allergy, 2,7% asthma, 2,7% eating disorders.
Conclusions: The present study indicate that the dental erosion is common oral disease in 18-year old population in Poland with prevalence of frequency and intensity in males. Acidic diet, hygienic habits and medical conditions such as asthma, eating disorders and esophageal reflux showed statistical significance, as associated with erosive in examined population. In this young adult sample 13,4% had signs of advanced tooth wear which may increase clinical problems in the future.
Keywords: BEWE; dental erosion; epidemiology; risk factors.
© 2016 MEDPRESS.