RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SMOKING AND DENTAL STATUS IN 35-YEAR-OLD, 50-YEAR-OLD, 65-YEAR-OLD, AND 75-YEAR-OLD INDIVIDUALS

The aim of the present study was to examine the dental status and smok ing habits in randomized samples of 35-, 50-, 65-, and 75-year-old sub jects (n=1093), recruited for a cross-sectional epidemiological study in the County of Varmland, Sweden. The following clinical variables we re recorded by 4 well-calibrated dentists: number of edentuolous subje cts, number of missing teeth, probing attachment level, furcation invo lvement: CPITN scores, DMF surfaces, plaque and stimulated salivary se cretion rate (SSSR). In addition, the subjects reported in a questionn aire their tobacco habits, oral hygiene habits, dietary habits etc. Th e percentage of smokers in 35-, 50-, 65-, and 75-year-olds was 35%, 35 %, 24% and 12%, respectively. In 75-year-olds, 41% of the smokers were edentulous compared to 35% of non-smokers. The difference in number o f missing teeth between smokers and non-smokers was 0.6 (p=0.15), 1.5 (p=0.013), 3.5 (p=0.0007) and 5.8 (p=0.005) in the 4 age groups. Smoke rs had the largest mean probing attachment loss in all age groups. The differences between smokers and non-smokers in mean attachment level were 0.37 (p=0.001), 0.88 (p=0.001), 0.85 (p=0.001) and 1.33 mm (p=0.0 02) in the 35-, 50-, 65-, and 75-year-olds, respectively. Treatment ne ed assessed by CPITN was in all age groups greatest among smokers. The number of intact tooth surfaces was fewer in 35-, 50-, and 75-year-ol d smokers than in non-smokers. The number of missing surfaces (MS) was higher in 50-, 65-, and 75-year-old smokers than in non-smokers. In a ddition, 35-year-old smokers exhibited a significantly larger number o f decayed and filled tooth surfaces (DFS) than non-smokers. Male smoke rs had significantly higher SSSR than non-smoking males (p=0.012). Pla que index and oral hygiene were similar in smokers and non-smokers. Sm okers reported a more frequent intake of sugar containing soft drinks (p=0.000) and snacks (p=0.003) than non-smokers. The opposite was repo rted for consumption of fruit (p=0.003). It was concluded that smoking is a significant risk indicator for-tooth loss, probing attachment lo ss and dental caries.