Smoking or poor oral hygiene do not predispose to peritonsillar abscesses via changes in oral flora.

Aim: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine if there is a difference in number and distribution of salivary bacteria between patients with tonsillar infection and healthy volunteers.

Background

The etiology of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is unclear. Smoking, periodontal disease, and infection of minor salivary glands have been suggested as predisposing factors for PTA. Material and methods: Patients with acute tonsillitis (AT) (n = 54), peritonsillitis (PT) (n = 36), PTA (n = 58), and healthy volunteers (n = 52) were prospectively recruited and evaluated. Saliva bacteria were analyzed with flow cytometry. Patients and their treating physicians completed a questionnaire about patients' current disease, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and oral health.

Results

There were no differences in the total number of saliva bacteria between patients with acute throat infection and healthy volunteers (p = .104) or between AT, PT, and PTA patients (p = .273). Smoking habits, alcohol consumption, oral hygiene, or prior antibiotics had no effect on total amount of salivary bacteria in patients with acute throat infection.

Conclusions

The effects of smoking on salivary bacteria do not seem to be the mechanism that promotes development of PTA in smokers.