Consumption of acidic drinks, knowledge and concern about dental erosive wear in Norwegian high school students.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to assess the consumption of acidic beverages, knowledge and concern about preventing dental erosive wear, and to examine potential associations between these variables, in a sample of high school students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey measuring acidic beverage consumption, knowledge and concern about erosive tooth wear was conducted at 13 high schools in Rogaland county, Norway. RESULTS: Of the 850 students who completed the questionnaire, 26% reported that they drink acidic beverages every day. There were significant gender differences for the consumption of acidic drinks. The survey also demonstrated that a high proportion of students lacks basic knowledge of what erosive tooth wear is, and that this lack of knowledge is associated with a more frequent intake of acidic beverages. However, students who responded that they are concerned about preventing dental erosive wear reported that they drink soft drinks and energy drinks less frequently than students who are not concerned about this. CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study support assumptions about a lack of knowledge about dental erosive wear in youth, and that this lack of knowledge is associated with a more frequent intake of acidic drinks.

Dental erosion: a widespread condition nowadays? A cross-sectional study among a group of adolescents in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, distribution and severity of erosive wear in a group of 16-18-year-olds in the western part of Norway. A second aim was to describe possible associations between caries experience, socioeconomic background and origin of birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adolescents (n = 795) attending recall examinations at Public Dental Service (PDS) clinics were also examined for dental erosive wear on index surfaces, using the Visual Erosion Dental Examination scoring system (VEDE). RESULTS: In total, 795 individuals were examined. Dental erosive wear was diagnosed in 59% of the population (44% erosive wear in enamel only, 14% combination of enamel and dentine lesions, 1% erosive wear in dentine only). The palatal surfaces of upper central incisors and occlusal surfaces of first lower molars were affected the most (33% and 48% of all surfaces, respectively). Cuppings on molars were registered in 66% of the individuals with erosive wear. Erosive wear was significantly more prevalent among men (63%) than women (55%) (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant associations between dental erosive wear and caries experience, socioeconomic background or origin of birth.

New animal model of extrinsic dental erosion-Erosive effect on the mouse molar teeth.

OBJECTIVE: Consumption of acidic food and drinks is considered as important risk factor for development of dental erosion. There are several in vitro and in situ studies focusing on the risk indicators and preventive treatment, however, the need for a standardized animal model has been emphasised for many years. The aim was to establish an animal model of extrinsic dental erosion, which may serve as a standard for future studies to improve our understanding of the erosion. DESIGN: Two acidic drinks, sports drink and cola drink, were given to young mice for six weeks. Experimental and control (water) molars and incisors were dissected out and observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mandibular first molars were subsequently ground transversely and observed again by SEM. The tooth height and enamel thickness were measured on the SEM images. RESULTS: The lingual surface of the mandibular molars was most eroded after consumption of acidic drinks. The cola drink exhibited higher erosive effect on mandibular molars compared to sports drink. The lingual tooth height, compared to control, was about 34% and 18% lower in the cola drink and sports drink molars, respectively. Compared to the control molars, the lingual enamel was about 23% thinner in the sports drink molars and totally eroded on the certain lingual areas of the cola drink molars. CONCLUSIONS: This new animal model of extrinsic dental erosion and the presented method with ground molars observed in SEM are suitable for further studies, which will gain deeper insights into the erosive disease.