Erosive lesions in patients with alcoholism.
BACKGROUND
The authors conducted a study to determine the occurrence of erosive tooth lesions in patients with alcoholism and to establish the influence of salivary flow rates and pH levels on their appearance.


METHODS
The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in 140 participants (70 with clinically diagnosed alcoholism who were undergoing therapy for their addiction were in the test group and 70 who did not consume alcohol were in the control group). The authors determined the participants' salivary statuses by measuring the flow rates and pH levels of both unstimulated and stimulated saliva.


RESULTS
The authors found more erosive lesions in the test group (P < .01). They detected a higher number of erosive lesions in participants in the test group who had a pH range of 5 to 6 compared with a pH range of 6 to 7 (P = .01). They found a significant correlation between alcoholism and unstimulated salivary flow rate (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The salivary flow rate was similar in control and test groups. The prevalence of erosion in the test group was higher than that in the control group, which may be related to the decrease in salivary pH of both stimulated and unstimulated saliva in this group. The results of the study showed no connection between erosion prevalence and pH levels and stimulated salivary flow rates.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with alcoholism may be at risk of developing erosive lesions on their teeth owing to the low pH level of their oral environment and decreased saliva levels.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Gunduliceva 5, Zagreb 10000 Croatia. dukic@sfzg.hr
Walter
W
Dukić
Tanja Trivanović
TT
Dobrijević
Marina
M
Katunarić
Sladana
S
Milardović
Sanja
S
Segović
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D014077:Tooth Erosion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*