Cross-Sectional Analysis of Prevalence and Aetiological Factors of Dental Erosion in Turkish Children Aged 7–14 Years

Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, distribution, and the associated factors of tooth erosion in Turkish school children.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on a representative sample of 473 children (aged 7–14 years) from 11 public schools in Turkey. Parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. A questionnaire was also given to the children, to collect data pertaining to personal demographic details and habits of consuming acidic foods and drinks. The O'Sullivan index was used to assess affected permanent teeth. The data were analysed using a chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Results: Dental erosion was observed in 21.8% of the children. Lesions were most often observed in the enamel with less than half of the buccal surface affected. Erosion was found to be statistically significantly higher in older children and in those with an elevated body mass index (BMI) (p <0.05). The consumption of fruit juices, drinks with cola, orange soft drinks, gaseous, cocoa milk, iced tea, sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, oranges, lemons, kiwis, grapefruits, apples, peaches, and fruit yogurts was statistically significantly higher in students with erosion (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relationship between students' sex, systemic disease, premature birth and low birth weight, exercise activity level, socioeconomic status, parental education level, and oral hygiene habits with erosion (p > 0.05).
Conclusion: Although erosive lesions were limited to the enamel, the prevalence of erosion was high. Erosion was statistically significantly associated with older age, elevated BMI, consumption of certain beverages, and fruit.