Erosão dental em adolescentes de Santa Maria - RS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of erosive tooth wear (ETW) among 15-19-year-old South Brazilian adolescents regarding prevalence, extent, severity, intraoral distribution, and sociodemographic risk indicators. A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Santa Maria, southern Brazil, and included a representative sample of 15-19 year-old adolescents. Data collection included the application of a questionnaire and clinical examination. A questionnaire was sent to the parents/legal guardians of the selected students, containing questions on demographic information, socioeconomic characteristics, and living conditions. After tooth cleaning and drying, all erupted permanent teeth were clinically assessed and classified according to the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE), by two calibrated examiners. The association between explanatory variables and the outcomes (ETW prevalence and extent) was assessed using Poisson regression models (unadjusted and adjusted models). A total of 1,197 adolescents were included in the study (participation rate of 72.3%). The overall prevalence of ETW was 57%. Severe ETW affected 16% of the sample. Overall, this adolescent population presented 13.3 affected surfaces and 8.34 affected teeth. In the risk assessment analysis, gender, skin color, socioecomonic status, and family income were significantly associated with ETW. Boys, white adolescents, and those with higher socioeconomic status were more affected by ETW. This study showed that the prevalence of ETW is high, and that it is associated with socio-demoraphic variables in this South Brazilian population of adolescents.