Effect of smoking on salivary flow rate and oral candidiasis incidence

Background: The 2014 ASEAN Tobacco Control Atlas (SEACTA), provides evidence that the first country to have the highest number of smoker prevalence in ASEAN is Indonesia, which is 50.68%. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for various diseases. Cigarette smoke and the hot temperature of cigarettes exposed to the oral mucosa will cause tissue damage. This results in damage to taste receptors which affects the decrease in salivary sensitivity and productivity. Damage to oral tissue is one of the factors for the C. albicans fungus to colonize in the oral cavity and cause infection so that oral candidiasis appears. Objectives: To review and investigate the effect of smoking on salivary flow rate and oral candidiasis incidence Conclusion: There is an effect of smoking on Salivary Flow Rate and Oral Candidiasis Incidence. Smoking will result in decreased salivary secretion and become a factor in the onset of C. albicans colonies in the oral cavity.