Prevalence and related risk factors of erosive tooth wear in Chilean schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of tooth wear and its associated factors in schoolchildren aged 10–18, focusing on sex-based effect modification. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, with clinical assessments performed by two qualified examiners using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE). Parents completed a questionnaire regarding potential risk factors. Data were analysed using stepwise logistic regression models. Results: The final analysis included 550 participants. Mild erosive tooth wear (BEWE = 1) was present in over one-third of participants, and 11.8% showed severe wear (BEWE = 3). Among questionnaire respondents (n = 417), 26.4% had high cumulative BEWE scores. In females, clenching (OR = 2.3) and dairy intake (OR = 0.4) were significantly associated with tooth wear. In males, significant factors included reflux (OR = 7.4), soft drink consumption (OR = 4.2), and dairy intake (OR = 0.2). Conclusion: Over one-third of schoolchildren exhibited tooth wear. Dairy product consumption had a protective effect, and age was associated with increased severity. Sex acted as an effect modifier: teeth clenching was a risk factor for females, whereas reflux, salad dressing, and soft drink consumption were risk factors for males.