PREVALENCE OF DENTAL EROSION AMONG PATIENTS WITH GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE

Background: Dental erosion, the progressive loss of tooth structure due to non-bacterial acid exposure, has been increasingly associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD, characterized by chronic gastric acid regurgitation, can lead to oral acid exposure, thereby contributing to dental erosion. The extent of this association remains underexplored in the local context. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of dental erosion in patients diagnosed with GERD using a validated clinical index. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months in Lahore, Pakistan, involving 196 participants equally divided into GERD and control groups. Dental erosion was assessed using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index by calibrated examiners. Data on age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and PPI use were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of dental erosion was significantly higher in the GERD group (77.6%) compared to controls (28.6%) (p < 0.001). The GERD group showed a mean BEWE score of 9.4 ± 2.1, indicating high severity, while the control group averaged 3.2 ± 1.7. High-risk BEWE classification (≥9) was observed in 66.3% of GERD patients versus only 10.2% of controls. Differences in anterior and posterior erosion scores were also statistically significant between groups. Conclusion: GERD is strongly associated with increased prevalence and severity of dental erosion. These findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration for early detection and prevention of erosion-related oral complications in GERD patients.