title: Gastric reflux is a significant causative factor of tooth erosion.
abstract: Dental erosion is caused by dietary or gastric acid. This study aimed to examine the location and severity of tooth erosion with respect to causative factors, and to determine whether the clinical pattern of erosion reflected the dominant etiological factor. The study involved 249 Icelandic individuals and included: a detailed medical history; clinical oral examination; salivary sampling, and analysis for flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity. Reflux was assessed in 91 individuals by gastroscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24-hour esophageal-pH monitoring. Reflux symptoms were reported by 36.5% individuals. Manometry results were abnormal in 8% of study participants, abnormal esophageal pH in 17.7%, and a pathological 24-hour pH recording in 21.3%. 3.6% were positive for Helicobacter pylori. Normal salivary flow was found in 92%, but low salivary buffering (10.4%) was associated with erosion into dentin (P < 0.05). Significant associations were found between erosion and diagnosed reflux disease (OR 2.772; P < 0.005) and daily consumption of acidic drinks (OR 2.232; P < 0.005).
authors.affiliation: University of Iceland, Vatnsmyrarvegi 16, IS 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. phol@hi.is
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Holbrook
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Furuholm
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gudmundsson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theodórs
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Meurman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002021:Buffers; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003804:Dentin / Q000473:pathology; D004358:Drug Therapy; D050782:Esophageal pH Monitoring; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D005773:Gastroscopy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000502:physiology; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers