Association between dental erosion and possible risk factors: A hospital-based study in gastroesophageal reflux disease patients

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition, with a prevalence of up to 10–20% in the general population. GERD may involve damage to the oral cavity, and dental erosion may occur with a higher frequency. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of dental erosion in GERD patients and to evaluate the association between dental erosion and possible risk factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow among patients attending outpatient department between June and August 2014. The study group comprised 91 subjects with GERD and 114 subjects without GERD. Information regarding symptoms of GERD, medicines, any chronic disease, and dietary habits were recorded. Dental examination was done to assess the presence or absence of dental erosions and its severity was measured using O'Sullivan Index (2000). Statistical analysis was done using Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Of 91 GERD patients, 87 (95.6%) patients had dental erosion. In both groups, association between frequent intake of fruit juice, carbonated drinks, milk, yoghurt, fruits, and tea/coffee with occurrence of dental erosion were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In GERD patients, association between intake of milk and occurrence of dental erosion were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Association of medication with dental erosion was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma were also found to be statistically significant with dental erosion (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that GERD patients were at increased risk of developing dental erosion compared to controls