Ungdomars kunskaper om dental erosion och deras konsumtionsvanor av sura drycker- en enkätstudie i åk 2 vid en gymnasieskolaAdolescents’ knowledge of dental erosion and their consumption habits of soft drinks -a questionnaire study among secondary school students

The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of dental erosion and the consumption habits of soft drinks among secondary school students. Differences between the sexes should also be investigated. The study consisted of 102 students, 60 women and 42 men, in the eleventh grade from a school in the south of Sweden. A questionnaire with 25 questions, divided in two parts with focus on knowledge respective consumption pattern and behaviour, was handed out and collected by the authors. The data showed that more than 50% of the participants had knowledge about dental erosion. More men than women knew about dental erosion. The main source of information was media (radio/newspapers/TV) and secondly dental personnel. A majority of the participants thought that the factors causing dental caries are the one’s that also may cause dental erosion. A majority of the students knew that soft drinks are a risk factor in the development of dental erosion. Men had a higher consumption of soft drinks compared to women. The results of the study indicate an inadequate level of knowledge of dental erosion among adolescents which has to be improved due to the increasing prevalence seen during recent years. It is of great importance that adolescents are aware of the factors that may cause dental erosion and how it may be prevented. Dental personnel ought to increase the information about the disease and dental hygienists may from this respect take a large responsibility of this matter