Evaluation of Oral Health Status, Including Oral Mucosal Lesion Prevalence, Dental and Gingival Health, and Developmental Anomalies, in Smokers in the West of Iran in 2018

Background: Cigarette smoke contains dozens of chemicals and free radicals that could cause significant damage to the mucous membrane and dental tissues in the mouth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health and mucosal lesions, as well as the dental and gingival status, of smokers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 532 smokers, including 369 males and 169 females, were evaluated to determine the prevalence of mucosal lesions and the dental health index. A dental student examined patients under dental illumination and mirrors. All the required data were collected via a questionnaire. Oral examination was classified into four groups, including mucosal lesions, developmental oral anomalies, periodontal status, and decayed, missed, and filled teeth index. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata software. Results: The average duration of smoking and the average number of cigarettes per day were 9.0±4.8 years and 7.7±6.49 years, respectively. Among the oral mucosal lesions, coated tongue (79.7%), pigmentation (43.4%), and halitosis (81.9%) were more prevalent, and among the developmental disorders, lip pit (45.5%), Fordyce granules (36.6%) and fissured tongue (28.8%) were more prevalent. The prevalence of filling, missing, and decayed teeth was 78.9%, 71.3%, and 92.9%, respectively. The gingivitis and periodontal lesions were 89.8% and 10.6%, respectively. A significant relationship was observed between oral-dental status and smoking duration. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that oral and dental lesions have a high prevalence among smokers, and the incidence of these lesions is significantly associated with the duration of smoking habits and the number of cigarettes smoked per day.