Prevalence of dental erosion and the implications for oral health

The literature on dental erosion is made up of a number of areas, some of which are reviewed here: there are anecdotal case reports, linking a small number of clinical cases with a possible etiological factor. The second area of evidence concentrates on case control studies in which there is a strong association with dental erosion, for example, patients with bulimia. The final piece of epidemiological evidence is beginning to emerge as prevalence studies, but the information from prevalence data worldwide is scanty. It is difficult to compare prevalence studies because of the different indices used in the various studies and also because of the different teeth assessed in the sample. Standardization of indices used would overcome some of these differences as would the reporting of results in a comparable way. However, identifying the true prevalence of erosion per se is fraught with difficulty because there may be more than one etiological factor operating and attrition and or abrasion may complicate the picture, especially in older populations. Case reports frequently associate evidence of erosion with excessive use of particular drinks or foodstuffs so they must be viewed with caution. There is an increasing awareness, amongst the dental profession, of the potential for this particular form of tooth wear to occur. It is important that the dental team is vigilant and instigates preventive measures before tooth tissue loss becomes clinically significant. The importance of erosion in dental health promotion should not be overlooked.