Association between anxiety and the presence of non-carious dental cervical lesions

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the association between parafunctional anxiety, eating habits, systemic conditions and assessment of oral hygiene habits with dental non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL). Material and Methods: this quantitative, observational study included 100 patients between 20 and 58 years old (mean of 37 years) with NCCL evaluated by clinical examination and sample calculation. The data were collected with use of a questionnaire made by a previously calibrated researcher, which referred to medical, dental, social history and anxiety assessments. After obtaining the data they were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using Fisher's exact two-proportion binomial test, adopting a 5% significance level. Results: consumption of carbonated drinks (81.6%), citrus fruits (76.3%), tooth brushing frequency equal or higher than three times a day (100%) and abrasiveness of toothpaste (100%) were significantly associated with presence of NCCL (p=0.0001). Gastrointestinal reflux, xerostomia, bulimia and anorexia showed negative association with NCCL (p=1.000). Anxiety was not directly associated with NCCL in the study population (36.8%). Conclusion: there was no direct association between the presence of non-carious cervical lesions and anxiety.