Objectives: The objectives of the present study were to assess the consumption of acidic beverages, knowledge and concern about preventing dental erosive wear, and to examine potential associations between these variables, in a sample of high school students.
Materials and methods: A survey measuring acidic beverage consumption, knowledge and concern about erosive tooth wear was conducted at 13 high schools in Rogaland county, Norway.
Results: Of the 850 students who completed the questionnaire, 26% reported that they drink acidic beverages every day. There were significant gender differences for the consumption of acidic drinks. The survey also demonstrated that a high proportion of students lacks basic knowledge of what erosive tooth wear is, and that this lack of knowledge is associated with a more frequent intake of acidic beverages. However, students who responded that they are concerned about preventing dental erosive wear reported that they drink soft drinks and energy drinks less frequently than students who are not concerned about this.
Conclusions: Results from this study support assumptions about a lack of knowledge about dental erosive wear in youth, and that this lack of knowledge is associated with a more frequent intake of acidic drinks.
Keywords: Oral health; acidic beverages; adolescents; dental erosive wear; knowledge.