Awareness of erosive tooth wear and the consumption of acidic beverages among a group of Finnish adolescents

Abstract

Objective: Adolescents belong to the high-risk group of erosive tooth wear (ETW), but by contrast, they are reported to lack knowledge about this condition and its association with the intake of acidic beverages. This study aimed to survey the awareness of ETW and the consumption of beverages among a group of Finnish adolescents.

Material and methods: A survey was conducted using an online questionnaire for the students in two upper comprehensive schools in the province of Southwest Finland. The awareness of ETW and the consumption frequencies of 14 beverages according to gender and school grade were analysed using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. The associations of the awareness of ETW with gender, school grade and acidic beverage consumption were analysed by logistic regression.

Results: Most of the 230 respondents consumed acidic beverages more than once a week. The consumption of lemonades (OR [odds ratio] 2.79-3.05, p = 0.008-0.018, 95% CI 1.19-7.00) and energy drinks (OR 5.59, p = 0.0008, 95% CI 2.06-15.2) was more common among those who assumed that ETW is not preventable. However, 45-47% of the respondents have not received information about ETW or its prevention from dental care professionals.

Conclusion: The studied Finnish adolescents have a lack of knowledge about ETW and the acidic beverage consumption among them requires intervention.