Prevalence, severity and related factors of erosive tooth wear among 18-39-year-old urban adults in China

Backgrounds Erosive tooth wear (ETW) has garnered increased attention within the dental community and is now widely recognized by oral health professionals, owing to its rising prevalence and clinical significance. Epidemiological data on ETW in China remain scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, severity and risk factors of erosive tooth wear among 18-39-year-old urban adults in China. Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted among urban adults from five cities(Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu, Xi’an) in China. An equal-sized, stratified, multistage sampling was used. ETW was clinically assessed using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. Participants were required to complete a questionnaire, consisting of sociodemographic information, oral health care behavior, dietary habits, and general/oral health history. Results A total of 3,405 urban young adults (47.9% male), with a mean age of 29.0 years (standard deviation:6.3 years) were included in the oral examination and questionnaire. The prevalence of ETW (BEWE≥2) was 63.7% among 18-39-year-olds. Most of the participants were at a low level for ETW (BEWE score sum ≤8). Severe hard tissue loss (BEWE score sum >13) occurred rarely among participants. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that sex, age, alcohol and city significantly associated with ETW ( P <0.05). Conclusions Erosive tooth wear is prevalent among urban young adults in China. A better understanding of erosive tooth wear and its associated factors is essential for its prevention and management by dental professionals.