Dental erosion and its association with diet in Libyan schoolchildren

AIM: To investigate any association between dental erosion and its potential dietary risk factors in a group of schoolchildren in Benghazi, Libya. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study. METHODS: A random sample of 12-year-old schoolchildren in 36 randomly selected schools completed a questionnaire to provide dietary data and underwent dental examination. Dental erosion was assessed using UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2000) criteria. Associations between erosion and dietary variables under study were investigated through processes of bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Of 791 schoolchildren dentally examined, 40.8% had dental erosion; erosion into enamel affecting 32.5%, into dentine affecting 8% and into pulp affecting 0.3% of subjects. Bivariate analysis showed frequency of fruit-based sugary drink intake was statistically significantly and positively associated with erosion (p=0.006, Odds Ratio; 1.498, 95% CI; 1.124, 1.996) as was the length of time taken to consume acidic drinks (p not equal 0.005, Odds Ratio; 1.593, 95% CI; 1.161, 2.186). Additionally, multivariate analysis showed frequency of consumption of fruit other than bananas, sugared tea with milk and flavoured milk to also be positively associated with erosion (p=<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this group of Libyan 12-year-olds, frequency of consumption of fruit-based sugary drinks and length of time taken to consume acidic drinks were the primary statistically significant positive risk factors for dental erosion.