Dentine hypersensitivity in Jordanian dental attenders. A case control study.

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a common painful condition which affects a significant proportion of the adult population.

Aims: To investigate the relationship between DH and factors such as gingival recession, oral hygiene practices and smoking in Jordanian adults.

Methods: A case control study was performed on dental attenders in the Irbid region of Jordan. A DH group was composed of 126 subjects with a history of sensitivity who also reported discomfort of least two non-carious teeth after an air blast. Each case quantified their personal perception of the severity of pain associated with sensitivity by making a mark on a visual analogue scale The presence and extent of gingival recession was measured on plaster models. An age- and sex-matched control group of 134 subjects who complained of no discomfort was recruited.

Results: Independent predictors of DH in multivariate analysis were whether an individual had noticed their teeth getting longer (P = 0.01), infrequent (less than once per day) toothbrushing (P = 0.001), smoking (P = 0.0006) and the presence of recession >or= 3 mm (P = 0.0005). Within the multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for recession of >or= 3 mm to be associated with sensitivity was 2.80 (confidence interval 1.57-4.99). The number of teeth which responded to an airblast was significantly higher in males (P = 0.0004), smokers (P < 0.0001) and those with recession of >or= 3 mm (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: It is concluded that DH is associated with gingival recession in Jordanian dental attenders. However, the relationship is complex. Infrequent toothbrushing and smoking, which was almost exclusively a male habit, were also factors associated with DH.