Acidic Dietary Intake and Dental Erosion among Brazilian Schoolchildren

Objectives: To estimate the consumption of an acidic diet and to assess its association with the prevalence of dental erosion in a Brazilian sample population. Methods: As part of a larger cross-sectional study, randomly selected 86 schoolchildren, mean age 13.83 (SD 0.38 years), living in Três Corações, southeast Brazil, completed a three-day estimated food diary, were interviewed and examined for dental erosion using an index validated in a UK National Study. Acidic dietary intake was assessed in relation to amount (grams/day) and frequency of consumption, and different sources of dietary acids. Ethical approval and written consents were obtained. Associations under study were tested through the Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). Results: The prevalence of dental erosion was 32.6%. The median acidic daily intake was 400 grams/day (interquartile range -IQR 243-671), with acidic drinks (mainly sugared carbonated and fruit flavoured drinks) representing the main source of dietary acids (340 grams/day, IQR 141-607). The median number of acidic daily intake was 8.00 (IQR 6.00-11.25) and this was mostly consumed between meals. In terms of amount, subjects with erosion had a lower total acidic dietary intake (p=0.063) and a lower consumption of acidic drinks when compared with subjects without erosion (p=0.045). However, subjects with erosion had a higher frequency of intake of dietary acids than erosion-free subjects (p=0.472). Acidic confectionery was mainly consumed at snack times, and at a higher frequency by subjects with erosion (p=0.044). Conclusion: A significant proportion of the schoolchildren were affected by dental erosion. A negative association was observed between erosion and amount of intake of acidic drinks, whereas the frequency of consumption of acidic confectionery was positively associated with the experience of erosion. External funding: CAPES, CNPq and FAPEMIG – Brazil.