Dietary Acidity, Orofacial Trauma, and Care-Seeking Patterns among Children in Mixed Dentition: Evidence from Urban Pakistan
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18103754
Keywords:
Dental Trauma, Tooth Surface Loss, Mixed Dentition, School Children, PakistanAbstract
Background
Changes in dietary practices, increased exposure to acidic beverages, and active lifestyles have contributed to emerging oral health challenges among children. Dental erosion and orofacial trauma are particularly relevant during the mixed dentition period, yet evidence regarding their combined determinants and care-seeking behavior in Pakistani children remains limited.
Objectives
To evaluate dietary, behavioral, and occlusal determinants of dental erosion and traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and to assess post-injury dental care utilization among school-aged children.
Methods
A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 children aged 6–12 years. Clinical assessment of tooth surface loss and dental trauma was performed using standardized diagnostic criteria. Parents completed a structured questionnaire capturing dietary exposure to acidic foods, oral hygiene behaviors, physical activity patterns, and treatment-seeking history. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to identify independent predictors.
Results
Dental erosion was detected in 31.5% of participants, while 23.0% exhibited evidence of TDIs. Regular intake of packaged fruit juices and carbonated beverages significantly increased the likelihood of erosion (p < 0.01). TDIs were more common in males, children involved in organized sports, and those with protrusive incisors (p < 0.05). Only 41.3% of injured children received professional dental treatment.
Conclusions
Dental erosion and TDIs represent interconnected oral health challenges among Pakistani school children. Preventive dietary counseling, early orthodontic screening, and school-based injury prevention strategies are urgently required to reduce disease burden and improve timely care utilization.
