The study aimed to associate the impact of tooth wear with the perception of masticatory quality and eating habits in a Brazilian indigenous population.

A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with 197 indigenous from the Macuxi tribe (Roraima, Brazil) divided into age groups (adolescents and adults). Tooth wear was determined by the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE). The masticatory quality was evaluated using the Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire (QMFQ). Study participants also answered questions regarding eating habits and frequency of food consumption. Logistic regression models and crude Odds Ratios were estimated with 95% confidence intervals. Variables with P<0.20 in simple analyses were tested in a multiple logistic regression model; those with P ≤ 0.05 remained in the model.

Tooth wear was observed in 38.1% of the indigenous, and 48.2% of them reported having their masticatory function affected; banana was the most frequently consumed item (54.3%); there was a significant association between adulthood and the presence of tooth wear (P<0.0001).

Tooth wear related to eating habits and poor masticatory quality did not impact the oral health condition of the studied indigenous population. However, adulthood was associated with tooth wear in this sample.