Comparison of Salivary pH and Clinical Periodontal Status in Smokers with and without Periodontitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis can be defined as an inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth which is caused by a specific group of microorganisms. Smoking and tobacco product usage is one of the major risk factors for almost 80% of systemic diseases, also for the development of Periodontal disease. The Present study aimed to assess the Salivary pH and clinical periodontal status Periodontal Probing depth (PPD), Gingival Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) among smokers with periodontitis and smokers without periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 50 smokers were chosen for the present study, they were divided into Smokers with periodontitis and smokers without periodontitis and divided equally. From all the subjects,5ml of Saliva sample was collected which was used to assess salivary pH and the periodontal status was assessed clinically. The data were collected and  SPSS software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The mean salivary pH in the present study of Group A and Group B were 6.56 ± 0.9 and 6.9 ± 0.4 respectively. Among the Smokers with Periodontitis, the Periodontal Probing Depth was 1.1 - 2, attributed to 25% of the Smokers whereas Smokers without Periodontitis had a Periodontal Probing Depth of 0 - 1.0 which was attributed to 19% of the Smokers. 26.5% of the Smokers with Periodontitis had  Gingival Bleeding on Probing in the range between 0.1 - 1.0 and 24.5% of Smokers without Periodontitis had  Gingival Bleeding on Probing in the range of 1.1 - 2.0, with a statistical insignificance p > 0.05. 18.3% of the Smokers with Periodontitis had  Clinical Attachment Loss in the range between 1.1 - 2.0 whereas 51.02% of Smokers without Periodontitis had no Clinical Attachment Loss, p Value < 0.05 which is statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: in the present study smokers have low salivary pH which increases the risk of periodontitis. The oral mucosa may become susceptible to several oral and dental ailments as a consequence of this pH change brought on by the long-term effects of smoking. Further studies have to be conducted to evaluate the salivary pH among current smokers, passive smokers and patients quitted smoking.