Tooth wear, dentine hypersensitivity and time since dietary acid in-vivo

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tooth wear and dentine hypersensitivity on occlusal/incisal tooth surfaces and the time since dietary acid consumption. Method: 350 subjects were recruited from hospital and general practice in the south east of England aged 19-34 years old. The severity of tooth wear and dentine hypersensitivity were calculated on occlusal/incisal tooth surfaces per subject using Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) and Cumulative Hypersensitivity Index (CHI) scores respectively at each appointment. The CHI score relied on evaporative stimuli applied to each occlusal/incisal tooth surface. The subjects were also asked about the time since their last acidic food or drink consumption. Result: Tooth wear was recorded in 93% (n=327) of subjects and dentine hypersensitivity was recorded in 56% (n=196) of subjects. A positive statistically signi!cant relationship existed between the severity of tooth wear and severity of dentine hypersensitivity recorded using BEWE and CHI on occlusal/incisal tooth surfaces (p<0.01).The severity of dentine hypersensitivity and tooth wear on occlusal/incisal tooth surfaces were associated with the time since the subject’s last acidic food consumption (p<0.01). Among those subjects who consumed an acidic beverage within 60 minutes of their appointment, 87.2% (n=130) had dentine hypersensitivity. Among subjects who had consumed the acidic beverage more than one hour previously, the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was 12.8% (n=19). Conclusion: This study showed that occlusal/incisal surfaces are a predominant site for tooth wear and dentine hypersensitivity. The severity of tooth wear on occlusal/incisal tooth surfaces is associated with the dentine hypersensitivity severity. If subjects consume dietary acidic beverages they are more likely to have dentine hypersensitivity.