Abstract
Aim: to determine the prevalence of erosion in children and to compare different etiological factors related to dental erosion. Materials and Methods: A study of dental erosion conducted among 3125 children, 11–12 years old which represent delay mixed dentition in 27 primary schools in Mosul city, comprising a study group with 35 erosion children, 22) males and 13 females. The other compared controlled subject are 35 children without erosion and caries free random sampling matching for both age and sex. The level of erosion was recorded using modified tooth wear index (MTWI), standardized methods for salivary flow rate and PH measurements were conducted. The role of various possible factors related to oral health in general and to dental erosion in particular was assessed for both study and control groups by means of multiple choice questionnaire. Results: showed that the prevalence of erosion in the sample was 14.3% distributed as mild erosion (7.55%), moderate erosion (5.6%) and only sever erosion (1.15%). A significant lower salivary flow rate mean (0.38 + 0.38 ml/min) and salivary PH mean (7.35 + 0.37) in erosion group were found, whereas in the control group they were 0.47 + 0.19 ml/min and 7.50 + 0.25 respectively. The results demonstrated a significant higher fruit juice intake, carbonated drink intake in erosion group than in their controls. The erosion group showed no significant difference in drinking habit and time of drinking of the soft drink compared with control group. Conclusion: The dental practitioners must be aware of their important role to recognize dental erosion and understanding its pathogenesis so that correct diagnosis and management of erosion can be performed.
