The association of tooth wear, diet and dietary habits in adults aged 18-30 years old.

OBJECTIVE

The association of acidic foods and drinks to the development of erosive tooth wear was investigated in a single cohort of adults aged 18-30 years.

METHOD: A tooth wear index was recorded on 1010 participant's who had a mean age of 21.9 years (SD 0.1) and of which 70% were female and 30% males. Participant's completed a previously validated questionnaire containing 50 questions about current and historical dietary habits. Data were analysed at the tooth level using odds ratio.

RESULTS

Tooth wear was statistically significantly associated to acidic foods and drinks with high titratable acidity and dietary habits, including drinking from a glass and holding drinks, (OR 5 and 6.5 respectively). A history of heartburn was statistically significantly associated to palatal dentine exposure (p≤0.05 and OR 7.6).

CONCLUSION

In this sample of adults, tooth wear was associated to a number of acidic dietary products and drinking habits.