Gingival health condition and salivary alkaline phosphatase concentration in relation to electronic cigarette smoking

Background: Electronic cigarettes are rising in popularity not only amongst those who smoke cigarettes but also amongst the youth. Although thought to be less harmful than regular cigarettes, electronic cigarettes are now the subject of considerable debate. This study aimed to assess oral hygiene status, gingival health condition and salivary alkaline phosphatase concentration in relation to electronic cigarette smoking. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 80 college students aged 18–25 years old, who were divided into 40 users of electronic cigarettes and 40 non-users who were enrolled as the control group. They had been diagnosed for plaque index and calculus index according to the calculus component of the Periodontal Disease Index and gingival index. Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay was used to chemically evaluate unstimulated salivary samples for the detection of alkaline phosphatase. Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS version 22. Results: Results showed that electronic cigarette smokers had significantly higher mean values of plaque index, gingival index and salivary alkaline phosphatase concentration than the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the calculus index. Conclusion: This study revealed that daily use of electronic cigarettes is linked to an increased chance of poor oral health in adults, and using them increases the odds of developing periodontal disease and teeth loss.