Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Dental erosion has been considered the major component of tooth wear in children, it often co-exists with other forms of tooth wear such as attrition and abrasion. The present study was conducted to assess the factors leading to dental erosion in school going children. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of pediatric dentistry on 842 school children age ranged 8-15 years old. 430 students were from private school and 412 were from government school. A questionnaire was designed to record information about socio-demographic characteristics, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits and risk factors for dental erosion. Careful clinical examination was done and O’Sullivan Index was used for recording dental erosion among school children. Results: Out of 842 subjects, boys were 480 and girls were 362. Dental erosion was seen in 22 boys and 14 girls of private school and 24 boys and 16 girls of government school. The prevalence was 8.3% in private school and 9.7% in government school children. Causative factors for dental erosion was sweets in boys (40) and girls (24), lemon in boys (32) and girls (20), cold drinks in boys (42) and girls (18), snacks in boys (38) and girls (26). Anterior teeth were involved in 12 cases in boys and 11 in girls whereas posterior teeth were 34 in boys and 19 in girls. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Boys had higher prevalence of dental erosion. Government school exhibited higher cases than Private school. Causative factors were sweets, lemon, cold drinks and snacks. Key words: Dental erosion, lemon, sweets