Prevalence of Dentine Hypersensitivity Among Patients ١٥-٤٥ years of Age Attending Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital

Abstract

Dentine hypersensitivity is a common painful condition affecting a significant proportion of the adult population everywhere. Beside discomfort it may lead to other problems in particular those associated with reduced proper oral hygiene practices. The objectives of this descriptive cross-sectional, hospital based study was the estimation of the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity among patients attending the out patient clinic at Khartoum Teaching Dental Hospital, during the period from ٢١٫١١٫٢٠٠٤ to ٢١٫١٫٢٠٠٥. In addition to the detection of the possible etiological factors and any differences in dentine hypersensitivity between males and females of the subjects examined. Diagnosis was reached by the use of questionnaires and clinical examinations. Out of ٢٨٨٩ patients, ٢٤٥ were diagnosed as having dentine hypersensitivity and the prevalence was found to be ٨٫٤٪. Dentine hypersensitivity was more prevalent among females compared to males, particularly in the age group ٢١-٣٠ years of age. The most important etiological factors of dentine hypersensitivity was found to be gingival recession followed by attrition, then erosion and the least important etiological factor was abrasion. The age range for females was ١٥-٤٥ years (with a mean age of ٢٧٫٧±٧٫٧ years). The age range for males was ١٨ - ٤٥ years (with a mean age ٣١٫١ ± ٧٫٥ years). The highest prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was found among the age group ٢١ - ٣٠ years, followed by the age group ٣١-٤٠ years and the least age group with dentine hypersensitivity was the age group > ٤٠ years. From this study we can conclude that the most important etiological factor of dentine hypersensitivity was found to be gingival recession, caused by chronic inflammatory periodontal diseases. It is recommended, that dental health education in proper oral hygiene practices should be given to the public to control dental plaque, reducing dental diseases that may lead to the painful condition of dentine hypersensitivity.