Has the prevalence and severity of dental erosion in Norway changed during the last 30 years?

Aims: To find out if dental erosion is more frequent nowadays, the objective was to compare the prevalence and severity of dental erosion among 16–18 year-olds in Norway in 2012 with 15 year-olds in 1985. Further, the intention was to investigate the incidence and progression of erosive lesions from age 15 to 21. Materials and methods: Two calibrated clinicians recorded dental erosion on study models from 1985 (n=300; 150 girls/ 150 boys), at age 15 (born 1970). To record the incidence and progression of dental erosion, study models of the same individuals were examined at ages 18 (1988, n=88) and 21 (1991, n=35). The Visual Erosion Dental Examination (VEDE) system was used to score dental erosion on index surfaces; occlusal surfaces on permanent first molars and labial/ palatal surfaces on maxillary front teeth. Results: The prevalence of dental erosion 30 years ago was 64% (60% with enamel lesions only) compared to 59% recently (44% with enamel lesions only). In 1985, 4% had dentin erosions compared to 15% lately. Male adolescents had higher prevalence of dental erosion than female ones; (p=0.006). Regarding the incidence, 4% of the healthy surfaces developed enamel erosion during three (47/1295 surfaces) and six years (18/517 surfaces), respectively. Of the erosive lesions, 26% progressed during three years (27/104 surfaces), and 42% during six years (16/38 surfaces). Conclusion: Thirty years ago, the prevalence of dental erosion was in the same order as reported nowadays, but the condition seemed less severe.