DENTAL EROSION ASSOCIATED WITH SOFT-DRINK CONSUMPTION IN YOUNG SAUDI MEN

This study reports on the causative Factors of dental erosion in selec ted high- (n = 19) and low-erosion (12 = 19) subgroups Of a larger ran dom sample (n = 95) of young male Saudi military inductees. By means o f a questionnaire, the role of various possible factors related to ora l health in general, and to dental erosion in particular, was assessed for each participant. Clinical examination included recordings of sev erity of dental erosion and fluorosis, presence of buccal cervical def ects and first permanent molar 'cuppings', DMFT and DMFS, visible plaq ue index, and gingival bleeding index. In addition, bitewing radiograp hs, study casts, and intraoral color transparencies were obtained for each individual. Logistic regression analysis showed a strong correlat ion between the presence of dental erosion and a high level of consump tion of cola-type soft drinks. Other statistically significant associa ted factors, although of less predictive strength, were type of cleani ng aid and gingival bleeding index. In subgroup comparisons, dental pr oblems (primarily pain), number of buccal cervical defects, and number of missing teeth were significantly greater in the high-than in the l ow-erosion subgroup.