Prevalence and risk indicators of erosion in thirteen- to fourteen-year-olds on the Isle of Man.

AIMS

The aim was to determine the prevalence of erosion in 13- to 14-year-old children on the Isle of Man and to investigate the strength of association with dietary risk factors.

METHODS

Exposed dentine was assessed on smooth surfaces of incisors/canines and occlusal surfaces of first molars. A questionnaire assessed the consumption frequency of foodstuffs.

RESULTS

Of 629 children examined, 124 (20%) had dentine exposed labially, palatally or occlusally. More males had dentine exposed on these surfaces (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.6). Palatal dentine exposure was present in 3% of the children and occlusal dentine exposure in 18%. In bivariate analyses, drinking fizzy drinks more than once a day was associated with erosion (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1-2.3). The mean DMFT scores were not statistically different for the children with smooth surface/occlusally exposed dentine (1.37) compared to those without (1.58). Multiple regression analysis showed age, gender and toothbrushing to be significant predictors of erosion.

CONCLUSION

This study has found a higher proportion of 13- to 14-year-old children with exposed dentine in molars than previous studies. The results corroborate previous reports that males have more erosion than females.