Prevalência de erosão dentária em escolares de 10 a 14 anos de Campo Grande - MS

Abstract

Erosive lesions can be found since the deciduous dentition and are the effect of dietary, behavioral habits, and of some diseases that, in a direct or indirect way, expose dentitions to acid substances and/or subjugate the oral cavity’s natural defenses against acid attacks. Epidemiological data in many countries revealed high frequencies of this type of wear in children and adolescents. This investigation aimed to study the aspects of tooth wear by erosion in the permanent dentition of 10-14-year-old schoolchildren of Campo Grande (MS) and to identify some associated factors with the presence of erosive wear. The sample was composed of students enrolled in 2008 of public and private schools. The subjects were evaluated under the parameters of the Tooth Wear Index of Smith and Knight (1984) modified. Next, a formulary was applied. Its questions regarded the frequency of exposure to acid substances and related habits associated with erosive wear. From 941 children examined, 372 had at least one dental region affected by erosive wear. Results showed prevalence of dental erosion of 39,5% (36,4% – 42,7% IC 95%). Significant relation was found between the presence of dental erosion and the intake of sports drinks. The high rate of erosive wear found, in more than one third of young the population, alerts to the necessity of health promotion strategies in this region which previously lacked of those investigations.