Influence of gustatory and olfactory perception in the oral phase of swallowing in smokers

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the difference between nonsmokers and smokers on the changes in the perceptions of smell and taste and to verify the influence of these aspects in the emergence of compensatory movements during swallowing. Methods: To evaluate these aspects, capabilities of olfactory and gustatory recognition were observed, as well as the compensation swallowing. Twenty-four patients were evaluated in each study group aged from 18 years, grouped in a stratified way. The olfactory evaluation consisted in presenting seven essences and one of three options should be chosen. For the taste test, 16 flavors were offered in a non-sequential and decreasing way in amount of solute. Swallowing solid and liquid was evaluated, in which aspects of compensation perioral muscles were observed. Results: Worst performance in olfactory and gustatory tests among smokers (p≤0.01) was found. Through the results of χ2 and Fisher's exact tests, it was found that the contraction of the mentalis muscle is less observed in non-smokers, and smokers have an average degree of statistically significant change compared to nonsmokers. Furthermore, through the Spearman correlation coefficient, it was found that the worsening in the sensory tests implies increased compensation during swallowing in smokers. Conclusion: These data allowed us to verify that the sensory changes have influence on swallowing pattern, indicating that these changes are aspects that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of changes in swallowing.

Tobacco Influence on Taste and Smell: Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Other researches, however, 24 support the idea that smoking interferes with the olfactory sensation. The indices of the olfactory function in smokers were significantly lower than non-smokers regarding identification assessments, discrimination, and odor concentration content 30 and results showed that smokers have lower sensory recognition capability when compared with non-smokers, 5 showing a positive correlation between decreased olfactory sensitivity and smoking and a negative correlation between olfactory sensitivity and amount smoked. Thus, the use of tobacco appears to have long-term negative effects on olfactory function due to changes in the olfactory epithelium and increased apoptosis of the olfactory neurons.…”

“…Studies in the field of speech therapy, specifically, compared smokers and non-smokers regarding their alterations. 5 19 These studies conclude that smoking is closely related to oral complications such as halitosis, apparent carious lesions and periodontal problems, which are risk factors for tooth loss and masticatory changes resulting from masticatory inefficiency. 19 They also show that smokers have sensory recognition capability inferior to non-smokers and muscular compensation during swallowing.…”

“…Another mechanism of interrelation between smell and taste occurs in the anticipatory phase of deglutition, when the olfactory stimulation helps the preparation of oral motor and digestive systems for the reception of food through the salivary secretion, increased gastric acid secretion, and time potential motor. 5 The smell and taste disorders are common, 6 having varied etiology and may be congenital or acquired. Among the acquired causes, the most cited in the literature are idiopathic, iatrogenic, aging, medications, vitamin deficiency, changes in the respiratory tract, neurological and psychiatric, trauma, neoplasia, total laryngectomy, and smoking.…”

“… 19 They also show that smokers have sensory recognition capability inferior to non-smokers and muscular compensation during swallowing. 5 Finally, smoking has been associated with vocal related diseases as being a risk factor for maintaining adequate voice quality. 20 …”

Genetic variations of the bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 are associated with obesity and impact on single immune traits

“…Discrepant results reported in others may arise from confounders such as age and smoking, which need to be closely controlled . In this sense, it is recognized that olfactory sensitivity , as well as sweet, salty, sour, and bitter taste acuity , are modified by tobacco consumption and decline with age . In line with this, Mennella et al.…”