Impact of Tooth Wear on Oral Health Related Quality of Life A Cross Sectional Study. DE

Tooth wear, a growing concern influenced by lifestyle factors such as grinding and acid reflux, can impact oral health and quality of life. This cross-sectional study conducted over 12 months in a Government Tertiary Dental Care Hospital in Himachal Pradesh, aimed to assess the relationship between tooth wear and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). A total of 400 participants aged 12-15, 35-44, and 65-74 years were examined. Results revealed that enamel wear was most common (53.92%), followed by dentine (35.49%) and cervical wear (2.69%). While 61.8% showed mild wear, 7% had severe loss. A significant correlation was found between the severity of tooth wear and increased physical pain and disability, though psychological and social aspects remained largely unaffected. The study concludes that while mild wear had a limited impact, severe wear compromised quality of life. Further multicenter and longitudinal studies are recommended to explore complex etiological factors and broader population effects.