COMPARISION OF SALIVARY FLOW RATE AND ORAL HEALTH BETWEEN TOBACCO CHEWERS, SMOKERS AND HEALTHY CONTROLS
Ashwin Kumar. R
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 77, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: 151701048.sdc@saveetha.com
Dr. Sangavi .R,
Senior lecturer, Department of oral medicine, Radiology and Special care dentistry.
Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 77, Tamil Nadu, India
Email ID: sangavir.sdc@saveetha.com
Dr. Adimulapu Hima Sandeep
Associate Professor, Department of conservative and endodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha university,
Chennai – 600077, Tamil Nadu, India, Email Id: himas.sdc@saveetha.com
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Side effects of cigarete smoking are among the major concerns.These complications can adversely affect the oral environment. Since reduced salivary flow rate increases the incidence of tooth decay and other dental and oral problems, the present research aimed to investigate the relationship between cigarette smoking and salivary flow rate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study which was conducted on patients reporting to the Outpatient Department of Oral Medicine department saveetha dental college.An ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethical Committee A total of 100 patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, it is concluded that salivary flow rate was significantly reduced in smokers and tobacco chewers when compared to healthy indivudals. It was observed that the salivary flow rate was reduced with increase in the duration and frequency of the smoking habit. Reduced salivary flow rate has a significant impact on oral health and may further lead to several oral complications. Therefore, measures should be taken by counseling the smokers to quit the habit and educating them about the ill-effects of xerostomia.
KEYWORDS: smoking, Tobacco, xerostomia, salivary flow rate