EFFECT OF SMOKING ON ORAL HYGIENE PARAMETERS IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that the prevalence of dental diseases is remaining high among the population. It is known that the pathogenesis of dental diseases is strongly associated with smoking. Maintaining proper oral hygiene is an important factor in the prevention of dental diseases. Therefore, the question of studying the impact of smoking on the oral hygiene status in adolescents and young adults is quite relevant as it can promote further development of more effective preventive measures. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of smoking on the oral hygiene parameters in adolescents and young adults. Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (Green-Vermillion, 1964) was applied to assess the oral hygiene status in 114 adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 years, who were divided into groups: group I included 26 people who smoked traditional cigarettes on regular basis; group II included 22 people who smoked electronic cigarettes (Vapes); group III involved 23 people who used to smoke tobacco heating devices (IQOS); group IV included 43 non-smokers. The subjects of group I were found to have an unsatisfactory oral hygiene status, their OHI-S index was equal to 1.77 ± 0.02 scores. The subjects of group II demonstrated 1, 53±0, 01 scores, and the subjects of group III – 1.46±0.02 scores that corresponds to a satisfactory level of hygiene. The subjects of group IV, whose oral hygiene status was also satisfactory, had 0.87±0.03 scores. The study has shown that the state of oral hygiene is affected by smoking of traditional cigarettes or alternative smoking devices and smoking duration. Therefore, much attention should be paid and more efforts should be applied to promote smoking cessation and to elaborate the algorithm of medical and preventive dental care for those who is still smoking.