Impact of Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco on Salivary Flow Rate, pH Levels and Salivary Electrolytes

Background: Tobacco use, both in smoked and smokeless forms, poses a significant threat to public health. The specific impact of tobacco use on the parameters of saliva still needs to be explored. Hence, the current study aimed to identify the impact of smoking and smokeless tobacco on salivary flow rate, pH levels, and salivary electrolytes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at community health centers, dental clinics, and public spaces in Hyderabad from January 2024 to July 2024. A total of 150 smokers and smokeless tobacco users who were >18 years old were recruited via convenience sampling technique. MedCalc software was used, and a one-way analysis of variances was run to identify the differences in the values of groups. The level of significance was kept at 95% CI. Results: Salivary flow rate, pH levels, and electrolyte measurements were analyzed, and the findings revealed that levels of the unstimulated flow rate of saliva were noticeably less (p<0.001) in both smoking and smokeless tobacco user groups compared to the control group. Conclusion: Overall, the results underscore the dangerous impact of tobacco on oral health, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to reduce tobacco use and promote oral health awareness.