Primary tooth wear in children from different social environments

Bilingual schools have more hours and high levels of academic demands. Aims: To compare the degree of dental wear and frequency of severe wear facets between children from public rural schools (RG) and children from private bilingual schools in Buenos Aires City (PG). To compare the presence of facets to parents' reports on bruxism and their opinion on the importance to health of bruxism and snoring. Materials and Method: The sample (n=90) consisted of 5- and 10-year-old children. Their parents/guardians were asked to complete a structured questionnaire on bruxism and snoring. Children's degrees of dental wear on primary incisors, canines and molars were identified and recorded. The data were analyzed statistically. Results: The relative risk of wear between PG and RG was 1.82. Bruxism and snoring were reported by 22.9% of the parents/guardians of 5-year-olds and 8.8% of the parents/guardians of 10-year-olds. In 10-year-olds, significant differences were found between RG and PG for canine wear degree 3 (p=0.01). Conclusions: Children from highly demanding schools presented more dental wear. Higher frequency of severe dental wear was observed in primary canines and molars late in the tooth replacement period regardless of whether sleep bruxism was reported. Parents/guardians from different social conditions considered that bruxism and snoring are important to health to similar degrees.