Comparative Evaluation of Gingival, Periodontal and Plaque Status in Smokers and Smokeless Tobacco Users

Abstract

Tobacco is one of the most widely distributed and commonly used addictive substances. Tobacco can be consumed through the mouth in a variety of forms, varying from smoking to smokeless tobacco chewing on itself. It leads to various life threatening consequences like oral cancer, lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases. In the oral cavity, it mainly affects the periodontium giving rise to gingivitis and periodontitis leading to alveolar bone damage and tooth loss. The aim of this study is to compare the gingival, periodontal health and plaque status in smokers and smokeless tobacco users. A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted among 100 patients including 50 smokers and 50 smokeless tobacco users visiting the out patient department of a private Dental College. The data was obtained by questionnaire based history taking followed by the clinical examination of the relevant parameters. The result data was tabulated in excel and imported to SPSS for further analysis. Chi square tests were done for statistical analysis. There were 4%, 3% of smokers and smokeless tobacco users reported with high probing depth respectively. 15% of smokers and 12% of smokeless tobacco users reported with severe gingivitis. 11% of smokers and 16% of smokeless tobacco users reported with poor plaque index score. Smokers had poor gingival and periodontal health when compared to smokeless tobacco users. Smokeless tobacco users had more plaque accumulation when compared with smokers. Prevention of tobacco usage onset and support for cessation of the same could contribute to improved oral health status.