A comparative study of the oral hygiene status of smokers and non-smokers in Ibadan, Oyo state

Dental Caries and Smoking Behaviors Among High School Students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is critical for developing lifelong health habits, including oral hygiene. While the effects of smoking on oral health are well-documented in adults, research focusing on adolescents remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to investigate the prevalence of smoking and its relationship with oral health outcomes, socioeconomic variables, and oral hygiene practices among high school students in Madinah.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 2,514 high school students (n = 1,249, 49.7% males; n = 1,265, 50.3% females) from 24 schools in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that collected data on sociodemographic factors, smoking habits, and oral health behaviors. Clinical dental examinations were conducted to assess caries prevalence using the Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were used to examine the associations between smoking status and the study variables.

RESULTS

The prevalence of smoking among participants was 8.6% (n = 216), with a higher proportion of males (n = 132 out of 1,249, 10.6%) than females (n = 84 out of 1,265, 6.6%) reporting tobacco use (P < 0.001). Smokers were more likely to attend public schools compared to nonsmokers (n = 190 out of 216, 88.0%, vs. n = 1,899 out of 2,298, 82.6%; P = 0.04) and had mothers with intermediate education levels (n = 108 out of 216, 50.0%, vs. n = 892 out of 2,298, 38.8%; P = 0.005). No significant differences were observed for the father's education or age. Regarding oral health outcomes, smokers reported significantly poorer self-rated oral health (n = 43, 19.9%, vs. n = 328, 14.3%; P = 0.026), but no significant association was found between smoking status and DMFT scores (P = 0.66). Smokers also reported less frequent toothbrushing (n = 132, 61.1%, brushing regularly vs. n = 1,686, 73.4%, for nonsmokers; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking prevalence among high school students in Madinah was 8.6%, with higher rates observed among males and students attending public schools. Smoking was associated with poorer self-rated oral health and less frequent brushing habits. These findings highlight the need for targeted oral health education and smoking prevention programs in schools to address modifiable risk factors and promote healthier behaviors.

Influence of Smoking Habits on the Prevalence of Dental Caries: A Register-Based Cohort Study

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the influence of smoking habit on the prevalence of dental caries lesions in a follow-up study.

Materials and Methods A total of 3,675 patients (2,186 females and 1,489 males) with an average age of 51.4 years were included. Outcome measures were the incidence of dental caries defined as incipient noncavitated, microcavitated, or cavitated lesions which had been diagnosed through clinical observation with mouth mirror and probe examination evaluating change of texture, translucency, and color; radiographic examination through bitewing radiographs; or secondary caries through placement of a new restoration during the follow-up of the study.

Statistical Analysis Cumulative survival (time elapsed with absence of dental caries) was estimated through the Kaplan–Meier product limit estimator with comparison of survival curves (log-rank test). A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the effect of smoking on the incidence of dental caries lesions when controlled to age, gender, systemic status, frequency of dental hygiene appointments, and socioeconomic status. The significance level was set at 5%.

Results Eight hundred sixty-three patients developed caries (23.5% incidence rate). The cumulative survival estimation was 81.8% and 48% survival rate for nonsmokers and smokers, respectively ( p < 0.001), with an average of 13.5 months between the healthy and diseased state diagnosis. Smokers registered a hazard ratio for dental caries lesions of 1.32 ( p = 0.001) when controlled for the other variables of interest.

Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that smoking habit might be a predictor for dental caries.

Effects of Tooth Brushing Training, Based on Augmented Reality Using a Smart Toothbrush, on Oral Hygiene Care among People with Intellectual Disability in Korea

(1) Purpose: In modern society, augmented reality (AR)-based training using a smart device has emerged as a means of resolving problems with training. Thus, this feasibility study aimed to identify the effects of tooth-brushing training, based on AR using a smart toothbrush, on oral hygiene care among people with an intellectual disability in Korea. (2) Methods: Thirty people with an intellectual disability, residing in a residential care facility, were selected. Tooth-brushing training based on AR, using a smart toothbrush, was applied in the experimental group (n = 15), and training using visual material was applied in the control group (n = 15). As an assessment of oral hygiene care, the changes in tooth-brushing performance and oral hygiene were measured. (3) Results: There were significant differences in all results after training between the two groups. (4) Conclusions: Tooth-brushing training based on AR using a smart toothbrush is more effective than training using visual material on oral hygiene care among the subjects of this feasibility study. Thus, training based on AR using a smart toothbrush could be applied to people with intellectual disabilities residing in residential care facilities as an individual tool for tooth-brushing training.

A comparative study to assess general health status and oral health score of tobacco users and nonusers in geriatric population in central India

Background:

Globally about 5 million deaths every year can be ascribed to tobacco use. It leads to many systemic and oral diseases. These diseases in geriatric population are common and more hazardous.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study was conducted in rural area of a teaching hospital to assess general health status and oral health scores of 500 geriatric age group tobacco users and non users. Data analysis was done with SPSS version-20. Chi square test and Mann Whitney U rank test were applied.

Results:

Poor self assessed health status was found in tobacco users as compared to nonusers. Significant limitation was found among the tobacco users as compared to nonusers. Significant association was found between the presence of diabetes, COPD, and tobacco use. Tobacco use was found to be significantly associated with poor oral health.

Conclusion:

Statistically significant poor general and oral health was found in tobacco users than nonusers.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Their Relevance in Oral Health

The number and popularity of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and especially e-cigarettes (e-cigs) have been increasing in the last decade. Although ENDS owe their popularity to excluding the harmful chemicals that are present in tobacco smoke, there is a debate whether they are safe, regulated, and as harmless as they are assumed to be and have potential unknown long-term effects. Involvement of cigarette smoking to the progression of periodontal diseases, other adverse oral health outcomes, and its detrimental effects to oral health are well-described. ENDS producer companies claim that these products can improve oral health by providing alternatives to smoking. However, the effect of e-cigs on oral health is not fully understood and is still debated among many scientists and clinicians. The number of studies addressing the potential toxic effect of ENDS or e-cig aerosol on oral cells is limited along with the clinical studies which are still preliminary, and their sample size is limited. The long-term effects of inhaled aerosols and the potential synergistic effect of the e-cigs components are not known. It is essential and of utmost importance to determine whether exposure to ENDS aerosol contributes to the progression of periodontal diseases and how it affects periodontal ligament and gingival cells which are believed to be its first targets. This review briefly summarizes the available evidence about the effects of e-cigs on periodontal health including several pathophysiological events, such as oxidative stress, DNA damage, inflammation, cellular senescence, dysregulated repair, and periodontal diseases.

The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Salivation

AIM

The purpose of this study was to examine the detrimental effect of smoking on the function of the salivary glands.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 60 patients who were divided into two groups: a test group which included smokers and control group represented by non-smokers. Each group included 30 patients. General information was collected from all the respondents via a questionnaire as well as the data on the duration of smoking and number of cigarettes smoked per day. Saliva was collected by spitting method in a graduated tube and the amount of unstimulated and stimulated saliva was measured and recorded in ml per minute. Stimulated saliva was collected immediately after rinsing the mouth with a 2% aqueous solution of citric acid which is carried salivary stimulation. The presence of pigmentation on the teeth and coated tongue were recorded during clinical examination. The degree of oral hygiene was determined by plaque index. All the obtained data were statistically analyzed with significance level p <0.05.

RESULTS

The results showed no significant differences in the amount of saliva between smokers and non-smokers, however, the amount of saliva decreases significantly with the duration of smoking and increasing age of smokers. Also proven was the difference in the quality of saliva: smokers have thick saliva and nonsmokers predominantly serous. In addition, smokers have poorer oral hygiene status than non-smokers, and demonstrated a positive correlation between the level of oral hygiene and length of smoking tobacco.

CONCLUSION

This study has proven that smoking adversely affects salivation: long-term smoking reduces the secretion of saliva and changes its quality.

Association between salivary sialic acid and periodontal health status among smokers

BACKGROUND

Smoking is an environmental risk factor causing poor dental health. Sialic acid is a salivary marker of oxidative stress for research of periodontal diseases.

AIMS

To identify diagnostic sialic acid fraction and its scavenger effect for periodontal diseases among smokers and periodental health status.

SUBJECT AND METHOD

This study carried out in the Khanzad specialized dental center - Erbil city. The study population is composed of 62 convenient samples. A structured interview questionnaire form was used to collect data about socio-demographic properties and smoking history. Clinical measurements were carried out to measure periodontal health status. Un-stimulated whole saliva samples were collected for measuring sialic acid fractions. Statistical package for social science (SPSS, version 18), was used for analysis and odds ratio.

RESULTS

Risk of smoking increased significantly in young to mid ages, which included most of the current smokers, with periodontal diseases, and high total free sialic acid. Risk of periodontitis and teeth missing increased significantly by long duration of smoking, bad tooth brushing, and poor eating habits. Risk of teeth mobility and loss decreased significantly by early smoking cessation and low income. High levels of free sialic acid correlated significantly in current smokers with medium and deep pocket depth.

CONCLUSION

Salivary free sialic acid may be used as a diagnostic oxidative stress biomarker for periodontal diseases among young current smokers. Cumulative destructive effect of long duration of smoking on the periodontum can be controlled by smoking cessation, good oral hygiene and diet habit in early old ages.