Vegetarian children and dental erosion

Background . There have been recent changes in teenage lifestyle and diet. The increasing consumption of soft drinks and foods containing significant acidic components may play a role in the development of dental erosion.
Objective . The aims of this investigation were firstly, to assess the prevalence of vegetarian children in a cluster random sample of 14-year-old children in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Secondly, to determine the prevalence of dental erosion in these children, and thirdly, to see if there were any differences between vegetarian and non-vegetarian children in the prevalence of dental erosion and dietary intake.
Design . A cluster random sample of 418 14-year-old children (209 males and 209 females) were examined from 12 different schools in Birmingham, United Kingdom; a dietary questionnaire was completed and the levels of tooth wear were recorded using a modification of the (TWI) index. All data were analysed using SPSS with t -test and Chi-square analysis. Significance was accepted at the P < 0·05 level.
Results . The results showed that 10% of the children were vegetarian; 52% of them had low dental erosion and 48% moderate dental erosion. Statistically there were no significant differences between vegetarian and non-vegetarian children in the prevalence of erosion; however, there were significant differences in some food and drink consumption.
Conclusions . It was concluded that dental erosion is common in teenage children, but there were no significant differences in prevalence between vegetarian and non-vegetarian children.