Materials and methods: The study involved 150 students (117 females and 33 males) of UKMKL. They were subjected to salivary parameters test using saliva-check-buffer-GC-test kit. All subjects answered a self-completion dietary questionnaire and participated in a clinical examination. The presence of dental erosion was determined using Basic Erosive Wear Examination index.
Result: More than half (n=102, 68%) of the subjects were found to have dental erosion. By gender, slightly more than half of female subjects have dental erosion (n=80, 53.3%) compared to males. Milk is significantly found as a non-erosive drink with p=0.004. Statistically significant associations were found between dental erosion with low saliva pH (p=0.037) and those who had received dietary advice on healthy eating (p=0.010).
Conclusion: There is dental erosion among Malaysian young adults. Low saliva pH has shown to cause dental erosion. Milk, which is a non-erosive drink, would not cause dental erosion. Dietary advice on healthy eating is important to prevent dental erosion.