Prevalence Of Sensitivity and Bleeding Gums in Smokers versus Non-Smokers
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Smoking is a significant public health issue linked to increased mortality and morbidity. Its impact on periodontal health remains unclear, whether through systemic or local effects. Tooth sensitivity and bleeding gums are common oral health issues influenced by various factors, including smoking.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of sensitivity and bleeding gums in smokers versus non-smokers.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2024 to May 2024 at the College of Dentistry, Sharif Medical and Dental College, Lahore. The study involved 100 participants, 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers. Gingival health was assessed using the gingival index, which scored the marginal and interproximal tissues from 0 to 3. The participants' demographics and experiences of tooth sensitivity were recorded using a proforma. The sample size was calculated to ensure a 95% confidence level and 5% precision. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. Chi-square tests assessed the association between smoking status and gingival health, as well as tooth sensitivity. The mean rank scores of the gingival index were compared between smokers and non-smokers using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: The mean age of participants was 29.29 ± 11.946 years, with 71% males and 29% females. A significant association between smoking and gingival health was found (p = 0.001). Among non-smokers, 25% had good gingival health, compared to 0% of smokers. Conversely, 20% of smokers had poor gingival health, compared to 0% of non-smokers. The mean rank score for gingival index was significantly higher in smokers (75.5) than in non-smokers (25.50) (p = 0.001). An insignificant association between smoking and tooth sensitivity was observed (p = 0.316). Non-smokers reported higher tooth sensitivity (24%) compared to smokers (19%).
Conclusion: Non-smokers exhibited better gingival health compared to smokers. Bleeding gums were more prevalent among smokers, whereas tooth sensitivity was more common in non-smokers. These findings highlight the adverse effects of smoking on periodontal health and the need for targeted smoking cessation programs.
Article Details
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Sreedevi M, Ramesh A, Dwarakanath C. Periodontal Status in Smokers and Nonsmokers: A Clinical, Microbiological, and Histopathological Study. Int J Dent. 2012;2012:571590.
Markowitz K. Tooth Sensitivity: Mechanisms and Management. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 1993;14(8):1032, 1034 passim; quiz 46.
Kailio P, Nordblad A, Croucher R, Ainamo J. Self-Reported Gingivitis and Bleeding Gums Among Adolescents in Helsinki. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1994;22(5 Pt 1):277-82.
Millar WJ, Locker D. Smoking and Oral Health Status. J Can Dent Assoc. 2007;73(2):155.
Rees J, Addy M. A Cross-Sectional Study of Dentine Hypersensitivity. J Clin Periodontol. 2002;29(11):997-1003.
Machtei EE, Mahler D, Sanduri H, Peled M. The Effect of Menstrual Cycle on Periodontal Health. J Periodontol. 2004;75(3):408-12.
Haffajee AD, Socransky SS. Relationship of Cigarette Smoking to the Subgingival Microbiota. J Clin Periodontol. 2001;28(5):377-88.
Zambon JJ, Grossi SG, Machtei EE, Ho AW, Dunford RG, Genco RJ. Cigarette Smoking Increases the Risk for Subgingival Infection with Periodontal Pathogens. J Periodontol. 1996;67(10 Suppl):1050-4.
Umeda M, Chen C, Bakker I, Contreras A, Morrison JL, Slots J. Risk Indicators for Harboring Periodontal Pathogens. J Periodontol. 1998;69(10):1111-8.
Kazor C, Taylor GW, Loesche WJ. The Prevalence of BANA-Hydrolyzing Periodontopathic Bacteria in Smokers. J Clin Periodontol. 1999;26(12):814-21.
Tankova H, Lazarova Z. A Comparative Study of Full Mouth Bleeding Score (FMBS) and Gingival Index Loe and Silness (GILS) in Assessing Gingival Status of Children Aged 10-14 Years. J IMAB Annu Proc Sci Pap. 2024;30(1):5387-91.
Khan S, Khalid T, Awan KH. Chronic Periodontitis and Smoking: Prevalence and Dose-Response Relationship. Saudi Med J. 2016;37(8):889-94.
Bastiaan RJ, Waite IM. Effects of Tobacco Smoking on Plaque Development and Gingivitis. J Periodontol. 1978;49(9):480-2.
Feldman RS, Bravacos JS, Rose CL. Association Between Smoking Different Tobacco Products and Periodontal Disease Indexes. J Periodontol. 1983;54(8):481-7.
Lie MA, Van der Weijden GA, Timmerman MF, Loos BG, Van Steenbergen TJ, Van der Velden U. Oral Microbiota in Smokers and Non-Smokers in Natural and Experimentally-Induced Gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol. 1998;25(8):677-86.
Preber H, Bergström J. Cigarette Smoking in Patients Referred for Periodontal Treatment. Eur J Oral Sci. 1986;94(2):102-8.
Danielsen B, Manji F, Nagelkerke N, Fejerskov O, Baelum V. Effect of Cigarette Smoking on the Transition Dynamics in Experimental Gingivitis. J Clin Periodontol. 1990;17(3):159-64.
Machuca G, Rosales I, Lacalle JR, Machuca C, Bullón P. Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Periodontal Status of Healthy Young Adults. J Periodontol. 2000;71(1):73-8.
Bergström J, Eliasson S, Dock J. Exposure to Tobacco Smoking and Periodontal Health. J Clin Periodontol. 2000;27(1):61-8.
Bergström J, Boström L. Tobacco Smoking and Periodontal Hemorrhagic Responsiveness. J Clin Periodontol. 2001;28(7):680-5.
Haber J, Wattles J, Crowley M, Mandell R, Joshipura K, Kent RL. Evidence for Cigarette Smoking as a Major Risk Factor for Periodontitis. J Periodontol. 1993;64(1):16-23.
Linden GJ, Mullally BH. Cigarette Smoking and Periodontal Destruction in Young Adults. J Periodontol. 1994;65(7):718-23.
Baumert AH, Johnson GK, Kaldahl WB, Patil KD, Kalkwarf KL. The Effect of Smoking on the Response to Periodontal Therapy. J Clin Periodontol. 1994;21(2):91-7.