Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effect of smoking different tobacco types on the supragingival microbiome and its relation to dental caries. Forty supragingival plaque samples were collected from smokers of a single tobacco type and non-smokers seeking treatment at the University Dental Hospital Sharjah, UAE. DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) was determined for all participants who were divided into two groups: no-low caries (NC-LC: DMFT = 0–4; n = 18) and moderate-high caries (MC-HC: DMFT = 5–20; n = 22). 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using third-generation sequencing with Nanopore technology. Microbiome composition and diversity were compared. Caries was most common among cigarette smokers. Supragingival microbiota were significantly altered among smokers of different tobacco types. In cigarette smokers, cariogenic bacteria from genus Streptococcus (including S. mutans) were significantly more among subjects with NC-LC, while Lactobacilli (including L. fermentum) were more among subjects with MC-HC. In medwakh smokers, several periodontopathogens were significantly elevated in subjects with NC-LC, while other pathogenic bacteria (as Klebsiella pneumoniae) were more in those with MC-HC. Cigarette and alternative tobacco smoking had a significant impact on the supragingival microbiome. Indeed, further studies are required to unravel the consequences of oral dysbiosis triggered by smoking. This could pave the way for microbiota-based interventional measures for restoring a healthy oral microbiome which could be a promising strategy to prevent dental caries.
Highlights
This study aimed to assess the effect of smoking different tobacco types on the supragingival microbiome and its relation to dental caries
Aetiological concepts of dental caries have evolved over the years from being caused by specific bacteria, to the current theory that highlights the critical changes in ecological stability resulting in caries d evelopment[17]
This is in agreement with a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of related studies that indicated a positive association between tobacco smoking and dental caries and a higher prevalence of caries among smokers compared to non-smokers[33]
Summary
This study aimed to assess the effect of smoking different tobacco types on the supragingival microbiome and its relation to dental caries. Cigarette and alternative tobacco smoking had a significant impact on the supragingival microbiome. Further studies are required to unravel the consequences of oral dysbiosis triggered by smoking This could pave the way for microbiota-based interventional measures for restoring a healthy oral microbiome which could be a promising strategy to prevent dental caries. According to the WHO report on global tobacco use in 2019, the prevalence of active cigarette smoking among adults in the UAE was approximately 28% in men, but less in women[2]. Tobacco smoking affects the microbial ecology of the oral cavity through oxygen deprivation, antibiotic effects or other possible mechanisms leading to unbalanced microbiome or d ysbiosis[12]. Aetiological concepts of dental caries have evolved over the years from being caused by specific bacteria, to the current theory that highlights the critical changes in ecological stability resulting in caries d evelopment[17]
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