Frequency of tobacco use and its relationship with oral soft tissue lesions

Tobacco use plays an important role in the development of oral lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between tobacco use and the incidence of these lesions.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 399 patients referred to Qom Dental School in four groups of non-tobacco users (n=146), cigarette smokers (n=98), water pipe smokers (hookah) (n=81), and cigarette and water pipe smokers (n=74). Oral lesions, dental caries, halitosis and xerostomia were evaluated with the help of oral examination and the use of a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 24, ANOVA, Chi-square test (P<0.05).

The highest prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (98.6%) was noted in group 4 (cigarette and water pipe smokers). Gingivitis, periodontitis, and coated tongue had the highest frequency among all oral mucosal lesions. Xerostomia, halitosis, impaired sense of taste, hairy tongue, coated tongue, nicotinic stomatitis, leukoedema, smoker’s melanosis, and non-keratotic white plaques had significant correlations with tobacco use (P<0.05). Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) also had a significant correlation with tobacco use (P<0.05).

 a wide and varied range of oral mucosal lesions was observed in smokers. Due to its harmful influence on the oral mucosa and awareness of the prevalence of lesions and increase the risk of oral cancer, periodic examinations by specialists are emphasized.