Scholarly record

GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AND ORAL HYGIENE – RISK FACTORS FOR DENTAL EROSION

D. P. Balaban, M. Grigorian, V. Badea, A. Caraiane, L. C. Petcu

Abstract

{{Background }} Dental erosion (DE) is the loss of dental hard tissue due to the action of gastric juice and acidic foods, without the participation of bacterial flora. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the involuntary passage of gastric juice to the esophagus. Patients with GERD have changes in salivary parameters. {{Objectives}} The purpose of this study is to analyze the levels of some salivary parameters and oral hygiene in patients with GERD and DE before and after therapy and to assess their correlations. {{Methods }} Fifteen patients clinically diagnosed with GERD and DE and 15 healthy volunteers (C) were included in this study. Oral hygiene was evaluated by Oral Hygiene Index (OHI). Salivary parameters: pH and Buffer capacity (SBC) were determined on total saliva by using G.C. Saliva Check Buffer kit. The data obtained in this study were statistically processed with MedCalc 14 and for a p<0.05 was considered to have statistical significance. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee for medical research from Ovidius University of Constanta and the signed agreement from each subject was obtained. {{Results}} The OHI values for patients with GERD and DE before and after therapy (BT, AT) were statistically significant increased compared with those obtained for healthy individuals: 3.4 BT versus 0.306 C, 0.765 AT versus 0.306 C, p < 0.001. Salivary pH levels of patients with GERD and DE were statistically significant lower before and after therapy than healthy persons: 6.127 BT versus 7.08 C, 6.707 AT versus 7.08 C, p < 0.001. Patients had significantly lower values of salivary buffer capacity before and after therapy than healthy persons: 5.057 BT versus 10.46 C, 8.8 AT versus 10.46 C, p < 0.001. There is a strong negative correlation between OHI with salivary pH and SBC before therapy: r = - 0.951 pH, r = - 0.933 SBC, p < 0.001. After therapy, there is a moderate negative correlation between OHI with salivary parameters: r = - 0.528 pH, r = - 0.512 SBC, p < 0.001. {{Conclusion }} The results obtained in this study showed that the increased values of OHI or decreased values of pH and salivary buffer capacity can be a mirror for the amplitude of dental erosion in patients with gastroesophageal disease.

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