Fatores associados ao desgaste dentário em adolescentes em uma cidade do nordeste brasileiro

Abstract

Tooth wear is defined as a condition that corresponds to the cumulative loss of mineralized substance from the tooth surface due to physical or chemophysical processes. It may be associated with socioeconomic conditions; eating habits; oral hygiene habits; lifestyle habits and health problems. The objective of this work was to analyze the main factors associated with tooth wear in adolescents. This is a cross-sectional observational study nested within the RPS cohort (Consortium of Brazilian birth cohorts from Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís). In this study, only data from São Luís (MA) was used. These adolescents, aged 18 to 19, were subjected to interviews and clinical examination. Tooth wear was assessed using a simplified version of the Tooth Wear Index (TWI), considering the absence or presence of tooth wear in the dentin of anterior and posterior teeth. For posterior teeth, the occlusal surface was evaluated, and for anterior teeth, the buccal, palatal/lingual, and incisal surfaces were examined. The exposure variables were: socioeconomic conditions; teeth clenching/grinding habits; consumption of alcoholic beverages; consumption of soft drinks, acidic drinks, energy drinks and coffee; oral hygiene habits and variables related to the patient's health (gastroesophageal disorders and asthma). The chi-square test and chi-square test for linear trend were used in cases of ordinal variables. The significance level was set at 0.05 and the confidence interval at 95% (95% CI). The results showed that in the 2404 patients evaluated, the prevalence of tooth wear was 38.11% (n=939). Males had greater tooth wear (n=481; 20%) (p<0.003). The consumption of soda (n= 770; 32%) (p<0.03), alcoholic beverages (n=417; 17.34%) (p<0.007) and the habit of clenching/grinding teeth (n=250; 10.39%) (p<0.04) were positively associated with tooth wear. No association was found between tooth wear and variables related to oral hygiene habits and the patient's general health. Based on the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the prevalence of tooth wear in adolescents was high, higher in males and with greater involvement of the anterior teeth. The main factors associated with tooth wear in this population were consumption of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and the habit of clenching/grinding teeth.