Prevalence of pathological tooth wear in patients with chronic alcoholism

Although chronic alcoholism is a very common condition, with potentially harmful consequences for the sufferer, there has been little emphasis in the literature on its effects on the teeth. This study of 37 alcoholic patients showed that their teeth had significantly more wear than age and sex matched controls. The tooth wear was most marked in males, and those whose alcohol consumption was continuous rather than in the form of episodic binges. The wear appeared to be erosive in nature, and in 40% of the sample it affected the palatal surfaces of the upper anterior teeth. It is therefore suggested that general dental practitioners should bear in mind the possibility of chronic alcoholism in cases of unexplained dental erosion.