Awareness About Effects Of Smoking On Oral Health Among Smokers - A Questionnaire Study
S Barani Shankar1, Arvina Rajasekar2*
1 Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai- 77, India.
2 Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences [SIMATS], Saveetha University, Chennai- 77, India.
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Arvina Rajasekar,
Senior Lecturer, Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences [SIMATS], Saveetha University, Chennai-
77, India.
Tel: +91 9486442309
E-mail: arvinar.sdc@saveetha.com
Received: September 13, 2021; Accepted: September 22, 2021; Published: September 23, 2021
Citation:S Barani Shankar, Arvina Rajasekar. Awareness About Effects Of Smoking On Oral Health Among Smokers - A Questionnaire Study. Int J Dentistry Oral Sci. 2021;8(9):4615-4619. doi: dx.doi.org/10.19070/2377-8075-21000940
Copyright: Dr. Arvina Rajasekar©2021. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Background: The adverse effects of tobacco smoking on oral health are well documented. This includes impaired wound
healing, periodontal disease, oral mucosal lesions and also benign and malignant oral diseases.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the awareness about effects of smoking on oral health among smokers.
Materials and Methods: This survey was carried out among 100 out-patients reporting to Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu for treatment were selected randomly. Those who smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime
and smokes till date were only included in the study. A questionnaire consisting of seven questions were administered to all the
study participants. The filled-up questionnaires were then collected and the responses were subjected to statistical analysis using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, Version 23. Frequency distribution and percentage were calculated.
Results: Among 100 study subjects, 65% were aware that smoking affects general health. However, only 43% and 45% were
aware that it affects oral health and causes gum diseases respectively. 70% were aware that smoking causes staining of teeth
and 50% were aware that smoking causes bad breath. 71% and 82% were aware that it causes oral lesions and oral cancer
respectively.
Conclusion: The present study suggests that the smokers were aware about the effects of smoking on oral health. Even
though the smokers were aware, they were continuing to smoke. These findings should alert the clinicians that in routine
practice, health education and evidence based smoking cessation counselling programs should be incorporated for smokers.
2.Introduction
3.Materials and Methods
3.Results
4.Discussion
5.Conclusion
5.References
Keywords
Smoking; Smokers; Innovative; Oral Health; Oral Cancer.
Introduction
The adverse effects of tobacco smoking on oral health are well
documented. Numerous studies have shown that tobacco is a risk
factor for several systemic diseases which includes lung cancer,
respiratory diseases, and cardiovascular disease [1-3].
Also, tobacco use has been associated with gingival, oral mucosa
and dental alterations such as discoloration of teeth and dental
restorations, bad breath, taste and smell disorders, impaired
wound healing, periodontal disease, short-term and long-term
implant success, oral mucosal lesions such as smoker's melanosis
and smoker's palate, potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer
[4-5].
Gingivitis and periodontitis are the most common diseases of the
oral cavity. Gingivitis is a gum disease characterised by inflammation
of the gums, which appear red and swollen and bleed easily
during teeth brushing or a dental checkup [6]. Gingivitis is a mild
inflammatory illness that is frequently asymptomatic, therefore it
goes unnoticed. Plaque is the primary cause of gingivitis, although
there are other exacerbating variables such as smoking, stress, genetic
factors, systemic disorders, and hormone imbalances [7-14].
Periodontitis develops if gingivitis is not treated, and symptoms
include increased pocket depth, recession, furcation involvement,
mobility, and bone loss [15-23].
Our team has extensive knowledge and research experience
that has translated into high quality publications [24-43]. Even
Though the negative effects of smoking on oral health has been
well established, only few studies assessing the knowledge and
awareness of such effects among dental patients are available.
[5, 44-48]. Moreover, most of the existing studies have focused
on oral cancer, and none has examined other oral health aspects.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the awareness about
the effects of smoking on oral health among smokers.
Materials and Methods
This survey was carried out among 100 out-patients reporting to
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai, Tamil Nadu for
treatment were selected randomly. Those who smoked at least 100
cigarettes in their lifetime and smokes till date were only included
in the study. Each participant signed a consent form acknowledging
their voluntary and non-prejudicial participation in the study
and the protocol was reviewed and approved by the Institutional
Ethical Committee.
A questionnaire consisting of seven questions to assess the awareness
about the effects of smoking on oral health were administered
to all the study participants. The questionnaire was translated
in regional language and distributed to the participants. The filledup
questionnaire forms were then collected and the responses
were subjected to statistical analysis. The results obtained from
the survey were tabulated, analysed and represented graphically
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, Version
23. Frequency distribution and percentage were calculated.
Results
Among 100 study subjects, 65% were aware that smoking affects
general health and 35% were not aware. (Figure 1) However, only
43% and 45% were aware that it affects oral health and causes
gum diseases respectively. 57% and 55% of the participants were
not aware that smoking affects oral health and causes gum diseases
respectively. (Figure 2, Figure 3) 70% were aware that smoking
causes staining of teeth and the remaining 30% were not aware
that smoking causes staining of teeth. (Figure 4).
50% were aware that smoking causes bad breath and the remaining
50% were not aware that it causes bad breath. (Figure 5) 71%
and 82% were aware that it causes oral lesions and oral cancer
respectively. However, 29% and 18% of them were not aware that
it causes oral lesions and oral cancer respectively. (Figure 6, Figure
7).
Figure 1. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that smoking affects general health. About 65% of them answered yes and 35% of them answered no.
Figure 2. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that smoking affects oral health. About 43% of them were aware and 57% of them were unaware.
Figure 3. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that smoking causes gum diseases. About 45% of them were aware and 55% of them were unaware of it.
Figure 4. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that smoking causes staining of teeth. About 70% of them answered yes and 30% of them answered no.
Figure 5. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that smoking causes bad breath. About 50% of them were aware and 50% of them were unaware.
Figure 6. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that the smoking causes oral lesions. About 71% of them answered yes and 29% of them answered no.
Figure 7. Pie chart showing the response given by the participants when asked if they were aware that smoking causes oral cancer. About 82% of them answered yes and 18% of them answered no.
Discussion
The present survey was done to assess the awareness about effects
of smoking on oral health among smokers.
Research has proved that smoking has a negative effect on oral
health. Smoking has been established as a significant risk factor
for periodontal diseases. Tobacco reduces the blood supply to the
gingiva and eventually leaves them prone to microbial attack and
hence resulting in bacterial infection.
The present study assessed the awareness on effects of smoking
on oral health among smokers. Among 100 study subjects, 65%
were aware that smoking affects general health. However, only
43% and 45% were aware that it affects oral health and causes
gum diseases respectively. This is in contrast with previous studies
by Lung et al in the United Kingdom which reported the level of
awareness of only 7%, a study in Nigeria by Nwhator et al with
2.2% and a study by Shetty et al., [13] in Saudi Arabia which reported
the level of awareness of 11.3%.
Also in the present study, 70% were aware that smoking causes staining of teeth. 50% were aware that it causes bad breath. 71%
and 82% were aware that it causes oral lesions and oral cancer
respectively. We also found out that 18% of the smokers were
unaware that smoking could cause oral cancer despite the high
prevalence of oral cancer worldwide. This is in accordance with
the previous study by Muniandy et al., who reported that 13%
were unaware that smoking causes oral cancer. These findings
emphasize that there is still a portion of the population to be
educated and motivated with awareness programs.
Conclusion
The present study suggests that the smokers were aware about the
effects of smoking on oral health. Even though the smokers were
aware, they were continuing to smoke. These findings should alert
the clinicians that in routine practice, health education and evidence
based smoking cessation counselling programs should be
incorporated for smokers.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge the help and support rendered
by the Saveetha dental college and hospitals for their constant
assistance with the research.
Source of Funding
The present project was sponsored by
• Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences,
• Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals,
• Saveetha University,
• Sri Vijay Furniture, Puducherry
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