Is there a relationship between asthma and dental erosion? A case control study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Public Health
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Dental erosion is a multifactorial condition.
• Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease affecting children.
• Dietary habits and medical history can influence oral health.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare dental erosion prevalence and dietary intake in children with asthma, dental erosion, and healthy controls.
• Investigate the relationship between medical history, diet, and dental erosion levels.
• Assess salivary parameters (flow rate, pH, buffering capacity) across groups.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving three groups of children (11-18 years): asthma (n=20), dental erosion (n=20), and controls (n=20).
• Dental erosion assessed using a modified Tooth Wear Index (TWI).
• Medical and dietary history collected via questionnaires and interviews; salivary samples analyzed.

Main Results:

• Higher dental erosion prevalence observed in asthma (35% high erosion) and erosion groups (65% high erosion) compared to controls (0% high erosion).
• No significant overall dietary differences between groups, but associations with soft drinks, carbonated beverages, and fruits noted.
• No significant differences in salivary flow rates, pH, or buffering capacity among the groups.

Conclusions:

• Children with asthma exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of dental erosion than healthy children.
• While acidic dietary components and medical history correlate with erosion, they do not fully account for the elevated levels in asthmatic children.
• Further research is needed to identify specific factors contributing to increased dental erosion in children with asthma.