Abstract

SHITSUKA, Caleb; CORREA, Maria Salete Nahás Pires; DUARTE, Danilo Antônio  and  LEITE, Mariana Ferreira. Dental biofilm in children with dental erosion. RFO UPF [online]. 2015, vol.20, n.2, pp. 155-158. ISSN 1413-4012.

Objective: This study quantified dental biofilm through the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), by Greene and Vermillion, in children with dental erosion, comparing them with children without this oral health condition. Methodology: The study included 40 children aged 4-9 years, assessed by a single trained examiner according to the O'Brien index, for the diagnosis of dental erosion, wherein 20 children presented dental erosion and 20 children did not. Thereafter, they received instructions and standardization for the assessment of the OHI-S. Data were analyzed by Poisson's univariate logistic regression. Values of prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results: The mean (standard deviation) of the OHI-S of children with erosion was 1.20 (0.40), which was lower than that of children in the control group, 1.75 (0.45). The amount of biofilm was associated with the presence of dental erosion (PR 95% CI = 0.390; 0.180-0.833) and p value = 0.027. Conclusions: Children with dental erosion showed significantly less biofilm compared to children without this condition. Biofilm may be a potential protection factor against acid attacks and the development of dental erosion.

Keywords : Dental erosion.; Dental biofilm.; Dental plaque..