The influence of different factors on the oral health status of smoking and nonsmoking adults.

AIM: The aim of this study to determine the influence of smoking on self-reported oral health status among university students.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Voluntary sample of 669 adults of 18 to 26 years old were invited to participate in the study. They were asked to read a self-designated questionnaire and a covering letter which explained the purpose of the study. The questionnaire addressed self-reported demographics, oral hygiene and smoking habits; knowledge about smoking and its effects on oral health. Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test to determine statistically significant differences across the oral health status.

RESULTS

The sample included 340 (56.7%) males and 240 (43.3%) females; 56.8% of the subjects were nonsmokers; 43.2% were current smokers, and 17.5% smoke argileh. Almost 24.7% of subjects started smoking because of emotional effects; 66.9% did not smoke because of its harm to health. The percentage of subjects with dental plaque on their teeth was 27.1%, and with calculus was 27.9%, and with stains was 26.9%. About 35.5% of the subjects brushed their teeth once daily. Statistically, significant association was proven between smoking and gender (p < 0.01); and smoking and halitosis (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Smoking is significantly related to esthetics, calculus, tooth stains, halitosis, gingival bleeding, and gender with p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.05, and p < 0.01 respectively.