Dentine hypersensitivity and associations with self-reported oral health and quality of life data in seven European countries

Objectives: To examine clinically-assessed dentine hypersensitivity and its associations with self-reported oral health and quality of life data.

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, epidemiological study in healthy adults in seven European countries was undertaken. Participants underwent a clinical oral examination which assessed dentine hypersensitivity (DH) using an evaporative air stimulus with clinician reported Schiff scale and participant reported binary (yes/no) scores, gingival recession (GR), erosive tooth wear (ETW). Participants also completed a questionnaire on oral health, DH and lived experience.

Results: A total of 3,551 participants completed the study, the mean age was 44.0 years (standard deviation 17.4), 56.4% were females, and 29.1% had ≥1 site with Schiff 2/3. DH was more common buccally than lingually (p<0.001). Binary DH ‘no’ corresponded closely to Schiff 0 and ‘yes’ to 2/3. Schiff 2/3 was associated (p<0.001) with ETW, and with GR buccally. GR and the coronal and root ETW cervical location code was most commonly associated with Schiff 2/3 (p<0.001). DH was most common in lower incisors (participant self-reported and clinician reported Schiff 2/3). DH toothpaste use was significantly higher in participants with a clinical DH Schiff 2/3 and binary DH positive (p<0.001). DH participant pain intensity was rated as important by 37.5% and as very important by 14.9%.

Conclusions: DH is a common dental pain condition, with DH, GR and ETW particularly associated with the cervical buccal tooth aspect. For over half the participants, pain was very important/important to their lived experience.