Prevalence and Indicators of Tooth Wear among Chinese Adults

Abstract

Numerous epidemiological studies have focused on the prevalence and related indicators of tooth wear. However, no sufficient studies have been conducted with Chinese adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of tooth wear and identify related indicators among adults aged 36 to 74 years in Wuhan City, P.R. China. A cross-sectional and analytic study was conducted with 720 participants, aged 35–49 yrs and 50–74 yrs, in 2014. Each age group included 360 participants, of which 50% were males and 50% were females. All participants completed a questionnaire before examination. Tooth wear was assessed using the modified Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of tooth wear was 67.5% and 100% in the 35–49 and 50–74 age groups, respectively. The prevalence of dentin exposure was 64.7% and 98.3%, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of tooth wear and dentin exposure was found in the 50–74 yr group than in the 35–49 yr group (p < 0.05). Critical indicators of tooth wear and dentin exposure included high frequency of acidic drinks and foods consumption, low socio-economic status, and unilateral chewing. The frequency of changing toothbrushes and the habit of drinking water during meals were associated with tooth wear. In addition, the usage of hard-bristle toothbrushes and consuming vitamin C and aspirin were found to be linked with dentin exposure. In conclusion, the prevalence of tooth wear and dentin exposure observed in Chinese adults was high, and the results revealed an association between tooth wear and socio-behavioral risk indicators.

Socioeconomic Status and Dental Wear --- A correlation

“…Unilateral chewing results in higher impact force on the preferred side of chewing, resulting in greater occlusal contact and subsequent tooth wear and dentin exposure [32]. In present study, almost 47% of participants preferred Unilateral chewing, this is in accordance with study reported by Zhang J et al who reported 46.8% unilateral chewing preference among his study group [33]. No significant association was found with regards to socioeconomic status and preferred chewing habits, as studies have reported it as a personal choice not associated with status of an individual.…”

Prevalence of tooth wear and its associated risk factors among industrial workers in Daman, India: a cross-sectional study

“…Repeated or prolonged exposures of teeth to acid leads to selective dissolution of specific components of the tooth surface, with eventual loss of tooth substance, hypersensitivity, functional impairment, and even tooth fracture. 5,16 The present study found acid reflux (intrinsic) as an important risk factor of tooth wear. The pH of gastric contents with 0.4% hydrochloric acid during digestion is ~3.8.…”

“…These findings are consistent with the other studies. 4,5,10,16 Industrial environmental factors have been reported to cause dental erosion. In this study, the environmental dust/acid exposure from industries was strongly associated with tooth wear in both maxilla and mandible.…”

“…1 It can be defined as an irreversible, multi factorial and destructive loss of dental hard tissues caused by mechanical and/or chemical processes in the absence of caries or trauma. [2][3][4][5][6][7] It is more evident in recent years due to the current substantial decline in dental caries and people becoming more interested in keeping their dentition healthy for a longer time which could be exposed to wear. activity, environment, occupation, oral health behaviour, medicaments, gastrointestinal problems, and acid regurgitation among the risk factors that contribute to tooth wear.…”

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

“…Other studies have considered this limitation and used a modification of the BEWE index: Zhang et al (2015) incorporated the variable "dentinal exposure" (No: 0, Yes: 1); Wei et al (2016) described this variable as limited to enamel or spread to dentine; and Sun et al (2017) incorporated "dentine exposure" in the description of "depth" (limited to enamel: 0, limited to dentine: 1) . Wei et al found that 67.5% of participants aged 35 to 49 had a BEWE score of 3, 64.7% with dentin exposure . We suggest that future studies incorporate this modification to collect complete information about the severity of erosive lesions.…”