Prevalence and associated risk factors of dental erosion among children: A systematic review and meta- analysis

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of dental erosion in children and its risk factors range widely in studies. The objectives of this review are to systematically evaluate the literature and determine the prevalence and risk factors of dental erosion among children.

Methods: An electronic search from four databases was undertaken to identify observational studies from inception to July 2020. Studies evaluating the prevalence of dental erosion and its associated factors in children below 7-year-old were included. Dual independent screening, data extraction, risk of bias assessment, meta-analysis, meta-regression, and evaluation of quality of evidence were performed.

Results: Twenty-two papers were included in the meta-analysis. The overall estimated prevalence of dental erosion in children below 7-year-old was 39.64% (95% CI: 27.62, 51.65; I2 = 99.9%), with very low certainty of evidence. There was also low-quality evidence suggesting that the likelihood of (1) boys having dental erosion was significantly higher than girls (P = 0.001), and (2) children with digestive disorders having dental erosion was significantly higher than those without digestive disorders (P = 0.002). Qualitative synthesis identified that more frequent intake of fruit juices and soft drinks in general correlated with a higher risk of dental erosion. Meta-analyses and meta-regression revealed other factors studied were not significantly associated with dental erosion.

Conclusions: The prevalence of dental erosion among children below 7-year-old is high. Healthcare professionals need to educate the public on dental erosion and its risk factors. Future studies on prevalence of dental erosion should use standardized indices and methodologies.