Multifactorial logistic regression analysis of factors associated with the incidence of erosive tooth wear among adults at different ages in Tokyo

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with the incidence of erosive tooth wear (ETW) among adults at different ages in Tokyo using multifactorial logistic regression analysis.

Materials and methods: The study sample consisted of a total of 1108 subjects aged 15 to 89 years in Tokyo, Japan. Two examiners evaluated ETW in a full-mouth recording. The subjects were asked to complete a self-administered daily diet, habit, and health condition questionnaire. Subjects who had frequent acid consumption or gastric reflux and at least one tooth with initial enamel wear were placed in the ETW-positive group, and the remainder of the subjects was placed in the ETW-negative group. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify factors collectively associated with ETW.

Results: Logistic regression analysis showed that greater frequencies of carbonated or sports drink consumption were associated with higher incidence of ETW for all age groups except for 70-89 years. Adults in the 30-39-year group who reported suffering from heartburn were about 22.3 times more likely to develop ETW, while 40-49-year adults who had repeated vomiting were about 33.5 times more likely to exhibit ETW compared with those who did not experience vomiting.

Conclusion: Age-specific dietary habits were clearly observed among adults at different ages in Tokyo, and there were significant differences in intrinsic and extrinsic factors between ETW-positive and ETW-negative groups for each age group.

Clinical relevance: Both greater frequency of carbonated and sports drink consumption were associated with higher incidence of ETW among adults at different ages in Tokyo.

Keywords: Dental erosion; Diet; Gastric disease; Logistic regression analysis; Tooth wear.