Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dental attrition in a young adult population and to explore associated factors.
Method and materials: Dental students aged 18 to 40 years old with a minimum of 24 natural teeth were invited to take part in this cross-sectional study. Their demographic information, medical history, perceived stress, frequency of dietary acid intake, and frequency of oral habits were obtained through several questionnaires. Assessment of each type of tooth wear (erosion, attrition, and abrasion) was performed according to the tooth wear evaluation system (TWES 1.0). All participants underwent salivary tests. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-squared or Mann–Whitney tests and logistic regression models.
Results: In total, 178 participants (88 women and 90 men) with a median age of 22 years were included and of those 74.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 68% to 81%) had dental attrition. Univariate analysis revealed positive associations for male sex, age, body mass index, awake bruxism frequency, and erosive tooth wear with the presence of dental attrition. Multivariable logistic regression (Nagelkerke r2 = 0.31) indicated that dental attrition was associated with erosive tooth wear (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 6.3; 95% CI, 2.8 to 14.2), body mass index (aOR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1–1.5), and age (aOR, 1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.3).
Conclusion: Dental attrition is present in most young adults of Catalonia. The associated factors were erosive tooth wear, body mass index, and age. Slight alterations of salivary parameters do not seem to predict dental attrition. (Quintessence Int 2023;54:168–175; doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b3622405)
Keywords: prevalence, tooth attrition, tooth erosion, tooth wear, young adult
