Evaluation of prevalence and etiologic factors of tooth discoloration in male high school students in Isfahan

Knowledge of prevalence and etiologic factors of tooth discoloration can help design strategies for intervention to prevent tooth discoloration. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiologic factors of tooth discoloration in male high school students in Isfahan. In this cross-sectional study, 384 male students were selected by cluster sampling method. The students were examined by a well-instructed individual. Data was collected and recorded using a questionnaire and then analyzed by descriptive methods in SPSS at a 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of tooth discoloration was 89.9% in male high school students in Isfahan. Relative frequencies of etiologic factors of tooth discoloration consisted of caries, 80.6%; hypoplasia, 18.2%; extrinsic stains, 9.5%; root and crown restorative materials, 4.8%; trauma, 1.3%; tetracycline and smoking, 0.8%; fluorosis, 0.5%; and chlorhexidine mouthwash, 0.3%. No cases of amelogenesis imperfecta, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and drug use by mothers during pregnancy. In this study caries was the most common cause of tooth discoloration. Given the high prevalence of carious lesions, instruction of oral hygiene habits and improving nutrition of the students are recommended.