Influence of Intrinsic Factors on Erosive Tooth Wear in a Large-Scale Epidemiological Study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the influence of self-reported intrinsic factors [gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), long-term alcoholism, long-term heavy use of alcohol and multiple pregnancies] on erosive tooth wear in a middle-aged cohort sample. Materials and Methods: Of the total Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC 1966), a convenience sample (n = 3,181) was invited for an oral health examination in 2012-2013, of which 1,962 participated, comprising the final study group. Erosive tooth wear was assessed by sextants using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination Index (BEWE, 0-18). Clinical data were supplemented by questionnaires conducted in 1997/1998 and 2012/2013. The participants were divided into severe (BEWE sum ≥9) and no-to-moderate (BEWE sum 0-8) erosive wear groups, and the logistic regression model was applied. Results: Selected intrinsic factors were quite rare in this cohort sample and explained only 5.9% of the difference in the prevalence and severity of erosive wear. Daily symptoms of GERD [odds ratio (OR) 3.8, confidence interval (CI) 1.2-12.0] and hyposalivation (OR 3.8, CI 1.2-11.8) were the strongest risk indicators for severe erosive wear. Additionally, variables associated with an elevated risk for severe erosive wear were diagnosed alcoholism at any point (OR 2.5, CI 0.7-9.7) and self-reported heavy use of alcohol in both questionnaires (OR 2.0, CI 0.6-6.2). Even low-dose long-term consumption of alcohol was associated with erosive wear. Conclusions: In this cohort sample, intrinsic factors such as GERD or alcoholism alone are relatively uncommon causes of erosive tooth wear. The role of long-term use of alcohol in the erosion process may be bigger than presumed.

Prevalence of non-carious cervical lesions among the general population of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“…In agreement with a previous study, consumption of alcoholic beverages was identified as a risk factor for NCCLs 25 . A recent epidemiological study observed that long-term alcohol consumption, even at low doses of alcohol, has a cumulative effect on erosive wear 48 . Alcoholic drinks have acidic and dehydrating effects, and when used long-term, could lead to salivary dysfunction and gastro-esophageal reflux-GER 49 .…”

Prevalence of erosive tooth wear in Chilean adults, 2016: A cross‐sectional study

“…. In addition, Manaf et al (2012) found a prevalence of 68% in 19‐ to 24‐year‐old people in Malaysia; Chu et al (2015) reported a prevalence of 44.4% (BEWE ≥ 1) in a Chinese population of 18‐ to 21‐year‐olds; Olley et al (2015) reported a prevalence of 93% (BEWE ≥ 1) in 19‐ to 34‐year‐old individuals in England; Alaraudanjoki et al (2017) reported a prevalence of 75% (BEWE ≥ 1) in a cohort of adults aged between 44 and 46 years old in northern Finland; and Luciano et al (2017) reported that 28.7% of individuals in Brazil had some degree of erosive tooth wear . So far, it is the only published study in adults in South America.…”

“…8 Bartlett et al (2013) reported results from seven European countries in which 18-to 35-year-old participants presented a total prevalence of 57.1% (BEWE ≥ 1). For each country and with a cut-off of BEWE 2 or 3, the frequency of detecting erosive lesions, in decreasing order, was UK 54.4%, Spain 26.3%, France 26.1%, Italy 21.9%, Latvia/Estonia 17.9% and Finland 17.7%.. 9 In addition, Manaf et al (2012) found a prevalence of 68% 10 reported a prevalence of 75% (BEWE ≥ 1) in a cohort of adults aged between 44 and 46 years old in northern Finland 12 ; and Luciano et al (2017) reported that 28.7% of individuals in Brazil had some degree of erosive tooth wear. 13 So far, it is the only published study in adults in South America.…”

How dentists diagnose and treat erosive tooth wear in Finland? – A questionnaire survey

“…This was also proposed by the respondents of this study. However, in a recent Finnish study, GERD was not strongly associated with ETW [26]. Compared with Icelandic colleagues, the reported percentage for reflux disease was similar (54%), but surprisingly, Norwegian dentists considered the condition to be a more uncommon cause (8%) [8,9].…”