Prevalence of Tooth Wear Due to Dietary Factors in South Canara Population

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of tooth wear due to dietary factors in South Canara population.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralakatte Mangalore and the rural satellite centers.
Duration of the Study: June 2014 - July 2014 (1 Month).
Methodology: 2000 patients were evaluated using diagnostic instruments for presence of attrition, erosion, abrasion and abfraction, followed by the questionnaire which evaluated the prevalence of tooth wear due dietary factors in South Canara Population. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the “Statistical Package for the Social Sciences” (SPSSv16.0) software.
Statistical Analysis: Data obtained was statistical analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSSv16.0). Differences between variables were analyzed using Pearsons Chi-square test.
Results: Total prevalence of tooth wear in the study population is 58.7% out of which attrition (18.9%), abrasion (25.1%) erosion (3.8%) and abfraction (10.9%) was observed. A significant increase of tooth wear in males (85.45%) was observed. In the present study prevalence of tooth wear was significant in age group of 56-65 years (68.9%) whereas attrition (57.40%) in age group >=66 and abrasion (47.42%) was significantly more in age group of 56-65 years respectively. Erosion is significantly high in age group of 26-35 years (7.2%), abfraction in age group of 36-45 years (10.3%). Nonvegetarians (32%) showed increased tooth wear with urban population having the highest prevalence (74.9%) and alcohol consumption being a major cause for erosion (57.33%). Tooth wear is an irreversible, non carious, destructive process, which results in a functional loss of dental hard tissue. Dietary factor is one of the etiologies of tooth wear, the role of acidic foods and drinks are probably important for the progression of tooth wear.
Conclusion: The response to this current study conducted to evaluate the prevalence of tooth wear due to dietary factors in south canara population stated that tooth wear was more prevalent in males and most affected age group was 56-65 years. Non-vegetarians showed increased tooth wear and alcohol consumption being one of the major cause for erosion.