dc.description.abstracteng | OBJECTIVES:
The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the prevalence, the severity and the distribution of erosive tooth wear in kindergarten children of Göttingen aged 3-7 years, and (2) to identify and compare possible risk factors.
METHODS:
777 children aged 3-7 years from 27 kindergartens were examined using the O'Sullivan-Index. Additionally, data were converted into the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE)-index. Information about dietary habits, chronic illness and oral hygiene practices were obtained by questionnaires. Statistical analyses were done by Mann-Whitney U Tests and regression analyses (p<0.05).
RESULTS:
For 45,4% of the 777 children at least one tooth was affected. Prevalence increased significantly with age. 3-year-olds: 14,2%; 4-year-olds: 32,9%; 5-year-olds: 58,8%; 6-7-year-olds: 71,4%. Severity also increased with age. Male gender was significant with respect to the presence and severity of erosive tooth wear. The distribution of the BEWE risk groups showed that 66,4% had no, 28,1% a lower, 5,0% a mid and 0,5% a high risk for dental erosions. 59,5% of the children affected presented dentin erosions. Upper jaw teeth were significantly more often and more severe affected than mandible teeth. Upper jaw canines (31,5-31,7%), first deciduous molars (30,0-30,2%), mandible canines (17%), and first deciduous molars (16.5-17.7%) were most frequently affected. Severity of erosive tooth wear was correlated with the regular consumption of lemonade and coke. Higher prevalence was associated with a higher frequency of the consumption of beverages and food at night after practicing oral hygiene.
CONCLUSION:
Almost half of the kindergarten children showed dental erosions. However, only a minority was assigned to the BEWE high-risk group. | de |