Prevalence of Dental Erosion among the Young Regular Swimmers in Kaunas, Lithuania

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine prevalence of dental erosion among competitive swimmers in Kaunas, the second largest city in Lithuania.Material and MethodsThe study was designed as a cross-sectional survey, with a questionnaire and clinical examination protocols. The participants were 12 - 25 year-old swimmers regularly practicing in the swimming pools of Kaunas. Of the total of 132 participants there were 76 (12 - 17 year-old) and 56 (18 - 25 year-old) individuals; in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Participants were examined for dental erosion, using a portable dental unit equipped with fibre-optic light, compressed air and suction, and standard dental instruments for oral inspection. Lussi index was applied for recording dental erosion. The completed questionnaires focused on the common erosion risk factors were returned by all participants.ResultsDental erosion was found in 25% of the 12 - 17 year-olds, and in 50% of 18 - 25 years-olds. Mean value of the surfaces with erosion was 6.31 (SD 4.37). All eroded surfaces were evaluated as grade 1. Swimming training duration and the participants’ age correlated positively (Kendall correlation, r = 0.65, P < 0.001), meaning that older swimmers had practiced for longer period. No significant correlation between occurrence of dental erosion and the analyzed risk factors (gastroesophageal reflux disease, frequent vomiting, dry mouth, regular intake of acidic medicines, carbonated drinks) was found in both study groups.ConclusionsPrevalence of dental erosion of very low degree was high among the regular swimmers in Kaunas, and was significantly related to swimmers’ age.

Sports drink consumption and dental erosion among amateur runners

“…A number of medications may cause dental erosion, mostly vitamin C tablets and iron formulations that are too acidic, especially when in chewable form (6). A lifestyle that emphasizes a "healthy" diet and exercise with regular, continuous use of isotonic drinks could potentially lead to increased dental erosion (4,6).…”

“…The relationship between oral health and sports has been investigated (2,3): a systematic review reported that athletes had high prevalences of oral diseases, including dental caries (15-75%), moderate-to-severe periodontitis (≤15%), dental erosion (36-85%), and pericoronitis/ impacted third molars (5-39%) (3). Among the oral diseases that affect athletes, dental erosion is defined as progressive, irreversible loss of tooth tissue due to acid dissolution, without bacterial involvement (4). It results when a tooth is in frequent contact with acid (5).…”

Erosive tooth wear status of institutionalized alcoholic patients under rehabilitation therapy in the north of Portugal

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“…Frente a un pH de 2.4 de las bebidas carbonatadas, se produce una acelerada liberación de iones de calcio y fosfato desde el esmalte hacia el medio circundante (20) , el ambiente bucal si bien es capaz de recuperar su pH neutro natural después de la ingestión de sustancias ácidas, el acelerado y pronunciado descenso no consigue ser cubierto por la saliva, afectando la superficie dental (21) constituyéndose la erosión en un proceso destructivo crónico (22) contrapuesto a la acción ácida producida por bacterias desencadenantes de la caries dental (23) .…”