Influence of Smokeless Tobacco on Periodontal Health Status in Local Population of North India: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In addition to smoking, smokeless tobacco hasalso evidently shown its effect on various oral tissues.Smokeless tobacco products have been in existence forthousands of years among populations in South America andSoutheast Asia in varied forms.Methodology: This cross-sectional study investigated theeffect of commonly used smokeless tobacco on periodontalhealth in local population of nearby villages of Air Force StationBakshi Ka Talab, U.P., India, for which 2045 individuals[males=1455 (71%), females=590 (28.9%)] were evaluated.Results: Maximum incidence of smokeless tobaccoconsumption was observed in the age group 21–30 years(39.4%), whereas minimum consumption was observed in theage group 10–20 years (7.5%). The peak smokeless tobaccoconsumption was observed between the ages 21 and 40 years.Recording of oral hygiene measures included in this studyshowed majority of subjects (n=1961) used tooth brushing asthe oral hygiene measure, while some used datoon (n=30;1.5%) for cleaning their teeth and others used their finger(n=54; 2.6%) with or without tooth powder.Conclusion: This study conclude that, PPD were significantlyhigher statistically amongst longer duration (>5 years)smokeless tobacco users as compared to non-tobacco users.