EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKING IN DEVELOPMENT OF DENTAL CARIES:A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is a major public health challenge globally. It not only affects the general health but also impacts the oral health. It causes an array of oral health lesions including dental caries which causes pain and infection and can result in the requirement of the tooth to be extracted. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship of cigarette smoking and dental caries in the adult population in the city of Hyderabad. Materials and Methods:This study was conducted by OroGlee Solutions Private Limited,Hyderabad.A total of 1019 subjects aged 18 to 60 years were examined. Oral examination was done using intraoral camera, mouth mirror and torch. Results: Percentage of smokers having dental caries was 89.4% and percentage of non smokers having dental caries was 81.8%. Chi square test was used to determine the significance of difference between the prevalence of caries in smokers and prevalence of caries in non smokers.It showed a statistically significant correlation between dental caries and smoking cigarette.Conclusion: Smoking leads to multiple oral health problems including high incidence of dental caries.The incidence of dental caries further increases in presence of coexisting factors such as poor oral hygiene, food habits, limited preventive dental visits and old age