IMPACT OF SMOKING ON ORAL STATUS IN YOUNG ADULTS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL CIGARETTES AND HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCTS

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Amelia Elena Surdu, Daniela Trifan, Cezar Ilie Foia, Irina-Georgeta Sufaru, Daniel Petru Cioloca, Monica Mihaela Scutariu

Abstract

Smoking, including traditional cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTP), is known to affect oral health; however, comparative studies on their effects remain limited. This study aims to assess and compare the oral health status of young adult smokers using traditional cigarettes and HT products. A total of 72 young adults were divided into three groups: conventional cigarette smokers (n=24), HTP tobacco users (n=24), and non-smokers (n=24). Dental and periodontal health were evaluated using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Plaque Index (PI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), and Periodontal Pocket Depth (PD). Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and the Tukey post hoc test with a significance level of P<0.05. Traditional cigarette smokers exhibited significantly higher DMFT scores (19.7 ± 2.6) compared to HTP users (17.6 ± 2.1) and non-smokers (14.3 ± 1.8) (P=0.036). PI was significantly higher in traditional smokers (0.85 ± 0.28) compared to non-smokers (0.57 ± 0.22) and HTP users (0.73 ± 0.19) (P=0.027). No significant differences in BOP were observed (P=0.814). PD was significantly greater in both smoking groups, with traditional smokers (4.16 ± 0.48 mm) and HTP users (4.24 ± 0.39 mm) showing higher values compared to non-smokers (3.04 ± 0.22 mm) (P=0.037). Both traditional cigarette smoking and HTP tobacco use are associated with poorer oral health. Conventional cigarette smokers reported the worst outcomes in terms of caries and plaque accumulation, while periodontal deterioration was evident in both smoking groups. Although HTPs may reduce specific harmful effects compared to traditional smoking, they still pose a significant risk to periodontal health.

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.1.17.40