Impact of Waterpipe Smoking on Oral Health: A Comparative Study of DMF Index and Salivary Biomarkers

Abstract

Context: waterpipe smoking is a widespread habit with potentially harmful effects on oral health. This study investigates its impact by evaluating dental parameters and alterations in salivary parameters among active waterpipe smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers 

Aims: To evaluate the impact of waterpipe smoking (active and passive) on oral health by analyzing dental parameters by DMF index, as well as salivary biomarkers such as flow rate, pH, viscosity, and phosphate levels, in comparison to non-smokers.

 Materials and methods: A total of 75 individuals were selected for this study. The study group comprised 50 coffee shop workers aged between 24 and 25 years who had been working for at least four years. Half of them were positive smokers, while the remaining were negative smokers. Decayed, missing, and restored teeth were assessed. Stimulated saliva samples were collected, and salivary flow rate, Salivary pH, and viscosity was determined. Remaining saliva was stored for phosphate analysis. 

Statistical analysis used: The statistical analysis was performed, The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the median and mean ranks across the three groups. A chi-square value and corresponding P-value were reported to evaluate the statistical significance. 

Results: Active smokers exhibited the highest median values for decayed teeth and DMFs index, with statistically significant differences across groups (p=0.000). The salivary flow rate was lowest in active smokers and highest in controls, with no significant difference (p=0.073). Salivary pH was significantly lower in active smokers compared to controls (p=0.007). Active smokers also had significantly higher salivary viscosity (p=0.032) and phosphate levels (p=0.004). 

Conclusions: The study concluded that Active smoking has a profound impact on oral health, characterized by higher decay and DMFs index values, reduced salivary pH, increased viscosity, and elevated phosphate levels, all of which may contribute to an increased risk of dental caries.