The distribution and severity of tooth wear and the relationship between erosion and dietary constituents in a group of children.

There is very little published information on the severity of tooth wear in children. The current investigation involved clinical examination of 101 children and an assessment of their dietary habits. Evidence of tooth wear was found in over 80% of maxillary incisor teeth, and 30% of primary molar teeth had some dentine exposed. There were 21 children who were regarded as having 'mild' erosion, 45 'moderate' erosion and 35 'severe' erosion. There were highly statistically significant differences between the three groups in relation to drinking habits; the mean number of carbonated drinks consumed per week by children in the 'mild', 'moderate' and 'severe' erosion groups was 3.9, 5.8 and 13.9 respectively, of fruit drinks 10.3, 16.4 and 18.3, and of all fruit-based drinks 17.9, 27.1 and 39.0. There were also highly significant differences in those having a fruit-based drink at bed-time; 14% in the 'mild' erosion group, 32% in the 'moderate' and 60% in the 'severe' group. Although fresh fruit and yoghurt consumption followed the same trend, this did not reveal statistically significant differences. It is important to identify children who exhibit clinical evidence of erosion so that advice can be given about consumption of acidic dietary constituents.