Evaluation of Oral Mucosal Lesions in Iranian Smokers and Non-smokers.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking statistics are alarming and the oral mucosa is the first human part of the body that is exposed to the toxic substances of smoking. AIMS: Considering the high prevalence rate of tobacco-associated problems in the oral cavity and few studies on the Iranian population regarding the effects of smoking on the oral cavity, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between smoking and oral lesions in the Iranian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Observational study. In this observational study, the oral cavities of 200 participants (smokers = 100 and non-smokers = 100) were examined by a trained dental student under the supervision of an oral and maxillofacial medicine expert, and the presence of coated tongue, leukoedema, leukoplakia, smoker's palate, smoker's melanosis, erythroplakia, frictional hyperkeratosis, acute pseudomembranous candidiasis, and erythematous candidiasis were recorded. Xerostomia was evaluated based on participants' self-reporting through a questionnaire. All data were analyzed using T-test, Chi-square test, odd ratio, 95% confidence interval, Fisher's exact test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results of this study showed smoking is significantly associated with an increased risk of coated tongue (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.32-3.54, P = 0.005), smoker's melanosis (OR: 6.176, 95% CI: 3.28-11.62, P = 0.00002), and frictional hyperkeratosis (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.68-2.60, P = 0.005). However, no significant association was observed between smoking and leukoedema (OR: 1, 95% CI: 0.51-1.94, P = 1). None of the participants presented smoker's palate, erythroplakia, and candidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: This study's results showed that smokers exhibited a greater chance of developing oral lesions compared to non-smokers.

The Correlation between the Frequency of Oral Lesions and the Amount of Smokeless Tobacco Usage in Patients Referred to Oral Medicine Department of Zahedan Dental School.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The increasing use of smokeless tobacco in the last 15 years has motivated researchers to evaluate its impact on its user's health. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of oral lesions related to smokeless tobacco and any possible correlation between the frequency of oral lesions and the amount of usage in patients referred to Zahedan Dental School. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 90 (77 male and 13 female) cases, all snuff consumers, were surveyed in this cross sectional study which was accomplished by employing questionnaires. The questionnaire included demographic information, type and amount of smokeless tobacco used and the location where it was placed in the mouth. The completion of the questionnaires was followed by oral clinical examinations of patients. The location of any lesion found in soft tissue, was recorded in questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age for men and women was 47.7 and 55.61, respectively. A total of 38 cases (29 males, 9 females) were found to have oral lesions. 26 patients were using the snuff one pack per day. The common site of lesions was lower buccal sulcus. From 38 lesions, 32 lesions were found at the site of snuff placement. Most of the lesions were degree 1 and white in color. After taking biopsy from 32 lesions, 26 cases were detected as hyperkeratotic and 6 cases as epithelial dysplasia. CONCLUSION: This study showed that use of snuff is very common in Zahedan and usage of this material can produce oral lesions. There is not a significant correlation between the frequency of oral lesions and the amount of usage.

Effect of xylitol on cariogenic and beneficial oral streptococci: a randomized, double-blind crossover trial.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Although habitual consumption of xylitol reduces cariogenic streptococci levels, its effect on beneficial oral streptococci is less clear. The main aim of the study is to investigate the effect of short-term xylitol consumption on the oral beneficial streptococci level of saliva, Streptococcus sanguinis and S. mitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty four volunteers with a median age of 23.7 years (range: 20-28) harboring Streptococcus mutans, S. sobrinus, S. sanguinis and S. mitis participated in the randomized, double-blind, cross-over study. The experimental chewing gum (1.5 g/pellet) contained 70% xylitol w/w while the control gum contained 63% sorbitol w/w. Saliva samples were collected before and after two three-week test periods with a four-week washout interval. Colony-forming units (CFU)/ml were enumerated for the estimation of S. mutans levels on Mitis Salivarius-Mutans valinomycin (MS-MUTV), S. sobrinus on Mitis Salivarius-Sobrinus (MS-SOB), S. sanguinis on Modified Medium 10-Sucrose (MM10-S) and S. mitis on Mitis Salivarius Agar with Tellurite (MSAT) media. RESULTS: The S. mutans and S. sobrinus counts of the saliva samples decreased significantly (p = 0.01 and p = 0.011, respectively) in the xylitol gum group but not in the sorbitol gum group. The salivary S. sanguinis and S. mitis counts did not decrease in both xylitol and sorbitol gum groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of this study, xylitol consumption reduced S. mutans and S. sobrinus counts in saliva but appeared not to effect numbers of S. sanguinis and S. mitis in saliva. So, habitual consumption of xylitol reduces cariogenic streptococci levels without any effect on beneficial sterptococci for the oral cavity.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Passive Smoking and Oral Pigmentation in Children.

INTRODUCTION: Melanin pigmentation in the oral mucosa occurs as a result of several reasons one of which is smoking. Cigarette smoke induces numerous side effects in the people who do not smoke, but are in the same environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of parental smoking on pigmentation of their children's oral mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out as a historical cohort. Participants were 400 healthy children, 10 to 11 years old who did not use any drugs. The passive smoker group included 200 children who at least one member in their family was a smoker. The control group included 200 children who did not have a smoker in their family. Furthermore, two groups were matched in the point of view of skin color. The children in the two groups were examined and oral pigmentation was recorded. Finally, the results were analyzed by the chi- square test. RESULTS: Pigmentation was seen in 150 children (75%) in the experimental group and 122 children (61%) in the control group (P<0.005). The relative risk of oral pigmentation for children who were exposed to passive smoking was 1.23. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, passive smoking can induce gingival pigmentation in children.