Aim
To measure the prevalence of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) in adolescents.
Methods
The diagnosis was based on self‐report and was confirmed by tactile and evaporative tests. The association between DH and predictor factors was determined using a multivariate model. The sample consisted of 384 adolescents.
Results
The prevalence was 19.0%. DH prevalence to tactile stimulus was higher in those participants whose toothbrush movement was vertical/horizontal (OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.47–0.60, p < 0.001), in the presence of dental biofilm (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.94–3.09, p < 0.001), of non‐carious cervical lesion (OR = 2.76, 95% CI = 2.40–3.18, p < 0.001), of gingival recession (OR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.44–1.86, p < 0.001) and gyroversion (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.40–1.82; p < 0.001). When DH was diagnosed by evaporative stimulus, there was an association with brush movement in a vertical/horizontal direction (OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.66–0.82, p < 0.001), with the use of mouthwash solutions (OR = 2.65, 95% CI = 2.16–3.25, p < 0.001), in the presence of non‐carious cervical lesion (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.57–1.96, p < 0.001), of gyroversion (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.51–1.90, p < 0.001) and gingival recession (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.59–1.99, p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The prevalence of DH in the sample was worrying, since almost 1 in 5 adolescents had DH. Individuals with DH were more likely to report traumatic dental brushing, and presence of dental biofilm, non‐carious cervical lesion, gingival recession and gyroversion in the affected teeth.
