Prevalence of Tooth Wear in Primary Dentition in School Children of Abu Dhabi, UAE

Background: Tooth wear or tooth surface loss is a common finding that has been recently increasingly associated with the pediatric population. Many factors can contribute to this condition. Aim of the Study: To determine the prevalence of tooth wear and identify possible risk factors in the primary dentition of Abu Dhabi, UAE, school children. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined 506 children aged 2.6-6.8 years. Dental tooth wear was coded as none, mild, moderate or severe. A questionnaire was completed by the children’s legal guardians to investigate the presence of associated risk factors. Results: Out of the 506 examined subjects, 97.6% showed tooth wear. Among the 9213 teeth examined 41.6%, 42.1%, 16.2%, 0.15% showed no tooth wear, mild, moderate and severe tooth wear respectively. Upper incisor and canine segments demonstrated the highest prevalence and severity of tooth wear whereas lower and upper molar segments had the lowest. Within the upper arch, upper canines showed the highest prevalence and severity of tooth wear whereas upper second molars exhibited the lowest. Within the lower dentition, lower incisors had the highest prevalence and lower canines had the highest severity of tooth wear. The lowest prevalence and severity of tooth wear within the lower arch was associated with the lower second molars. Variables such as age, mother’s employment, mouth breathing, anterior deep bite, canine classification, type of toothbrush and gender were significantly related to the prevalence and severity of tooth wear, moreover, 52% of tooth wear was explained by the above mentioned variables adjusted over type of tooth brush. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a prevalence of 97.6% of tooth wear in primary teeth. The study also demonstrated a difference in the prevalence and severity of tooth wear within the primary teeth and within the upper and lower dentition. The study suggests possible risk factors related to tooth wear such as: age, mother’s employment, mouth breathing, and anterior deep bite.