Tobacco-use patterns and self-reported oral health outcomes

Abstract

Background: Few studies consider simultaneously the oral health implications of non-traditional tobacco products and tobacco use patterns. This study aimed to evaluate self-reported gum disease among cigarette smokers and users of other types of tobacco products. Methods: Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between different tobacco products, use patterns (e.g. dual/poly use, product switching) and lifetime history of gum disease diagnosis and gum disease treatment, using the nationally representative (USA) Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study's Wave 1 (2013-2014) adult data (N=32,300). Results: Overall, 12.1% of participants self-reported gum disease diagnosis and 19.1% reported receiving treatment. Groups with the highest adjusted relative odds for diagnosis (reference: lifetime tobacco never-users) were pipe users (3.1, 95% CI: 1.5-6.4), e-cigarette users (2.6, 95% CI: 1.6-4.3), multiple tobacco product users (2.8, 95% CI: 2.3-3.5), and recent (<12 months) quitters (2.8, 95% CI: 2.1-3.7). Similarly, odds of treatment report were highest among pipe (2.4, 95% CI: 1.3-4.8) and e-cigarette users (2.2, 95% CI: 1.4-3.4), multiple tobacco product users (1.6, 95% CI: 1.4-1.8), and recent quitters (1.8, 95% CI: 1.4-2.2). Conclusion: Numerous tobacco use patterns were associated with worse periodontal health compared to tobacco never-users. These findings are consistent with previous biological and epidemiologic evidence linking tobacco use to poor periodontal health. Practical Implication: Dental clinicians should anticipate various tobacco use patterns among their patients, all of which may impact oral health. Dental professionals should remain informed, screen for and address use of all tobacco products in practice.

Substance Use, General Health and Health Literacy as Predictors of Oral Health in Emerging Adult Sexual Minority Men of Color: A Secondary Data Analysis

“…Both cigarette use and e-cigarette use were associated with tooth loss. This aligns with past findings that tobacco-use patterns were associated with worse periodontal health compared with tobacco never users [ 38 ]. A systematic review of the literature revealed that former smokers have a reduced risk of tooth loss when compared to current smokers [ 39 ].…”

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Their Relevance in Oral Health

“…In a study in which self-reported gingival disease among cigarette smokers and users of other types of tobacco products was evaluated, never users had the best periodontal health compared to users of various patterns of tobacco products [75]. Additionally, it is reported that the dual usage of e-cigs and conventional cigarettes among adolescents is related to poor oral health outcomes based on self-reported diagnosis while there is no significant association between past 30 days use of conventional cigarettes or e-cigarettes and past-year self-reported provider diagnosis with dental problems [76].…”

The Role of Electronic Cigarettes in Dental Caries: A Scoping Review

“…The current EC and the dual (using both ECs and CCs) smokers were 25 to 64 years old, non-Hispanic Blacks, lower than high school education, low socioeconomic status, and infrequent dental visitors (>6 months) and were more susceptible to untreated caries [ 7 ]. Poor oral health was reported in daily and intermittent EC users [ 15 , 21 – 24 ]. Contrarily, the association between dental caries and EC usage was not significant in another study [ 14 , 16 ].…”