Background Oral diseases have become a common and frequently occurring disease affecting the physical and mental health of coal miners, but there is still a lack of relevant investigation and research on the prevalence of teeth wedge-shaped defects in coal miners.
Objective To investigate the prevalence and etiology of wedge-shaped defects in coal miners in Xingtai, China, and to provide evidence for the prevention of wedge-shaped defects in coal miners.
Methods An investigation of wedge-shaped defects was performed for 1116 coal miners in Xingtai, and a statistical analysis was performed for age, tooth position, frequency distribution, shape and degree of defects, toothbrushing method, bruxism, and gastroesophageal reflux (GER).
Results Among the 1116 coal miners aged 25-55 years, there were 1059 male workers and 57 female workers. The prevalence rate of wedge-shaped defects was 44.35%, and gradually increased with age, with 31.92% in the workers aged <35 years, 43.63% in the workers aged 35-44 years, and 57.63% in the workers aged >45 years. Moreover, the highest prevalence rate was observed in the first premolar, and the prevalence rates of moon-shaped defect and grade 1 defect were 85.52% and 74.14%, respectively. The workers who brushed their teeth in a sawing motion had the highest prevalence rate of wedge-shaped defects (53.93%). The prevalence rate of wedge-shaped defects reached 86.67% in workers with bruxism and 75.00% in workers with a history of GER.
Conclusion Wedge-shaped defects in miners are associated with multiple factors such as age, toothbrushing in a sawing motion, bruxism, and GER. Most workers have moon-shaped defect and grade 1 defect. Early intervention, such as changing toothbrushing method to Bass method, treating bruxism with occlusal splint, and managing GER, can prevent the progression of wedge-shaped defects.
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