Author(s): Zakereyya S Albashaireh and Maram K Aljamal
Background: Dentin hypersensitivity, DH is a common oral health problem of multifactorial etiology affecting one or more teeth of many individuals on global bases. There is a growing awareness that DH has become an increasingly important condition that merits investigation from the diagnostic and problem-management perspectives. Few studies attempted to determine the size of the problem and investigate factors associated with DH amongst Jordanians.
Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of clinically assessed in addition to selfreported DH and evaluate the factors associated with it in a sample of Jordanian subpopulation.
Methods: 1,478 subjects were recruited from teaching and public dental centers. They answered questions about known factors associated with DH. Oral examinations assessed DH in participants who reported DH in at least one of their teeth. The subjects quantified the severity of DH on 10-digits visual analogue scale. Chi-square tests were used to determine significant factors associated with DH (α=.05).
Results: The prevalence of self-reported DH was 66.4%; and that of clinically diagnosed DH was 28.7%. DH was statistically significantly more in females than males; and occurred most in the age group (21-30). Mandibular central incisors were statistically significantly the most affected teeth. Heartburn, frequent vomiting, drinking acidic juices and soft drinks, bleaching, gingivitis, scaling, and orthodontic treatment were statistically significantly associated with DH.
Conclusions: The Prevalence of DH in Jordanian subpopulation was 28.7%. Many factors including gender, acidic juices, soft drinks, bleaching, gingivitis, recent scaling and orthodontic treatment were significantly associated with DH, P<0.05.
