Tobacco Use and Tooth Loss among Adults Residing in Faridabad, Haryana, India

Abstract

Ab s t r Ac t Background: Periodontal disease and dental caries are the most common causes of tooth loss among adults. Tobacco-related habits have also been identified as major behavioral risk factors for a variety of oral health-related conditions, such as periodontal diseases and tooth loss. Aim: To assess the association between tobacco use and tooth loss among adults aged 25 years and above in Faridabad district. Materials and methods: The present study was a cross-sectional observational study. Data were collected through personal interviews and clinical examination. The clinical examination was conducted for the assessment of clinical variables, such as dentition status, according to WHO, Oral Health Survey: Basic Methods (2013), 5th edition. The data collected were entered in the Excel sheet using Microsoft Excel Software by the examiner. Data were analyzed using Statistics Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21, IBM Inc. Inferential statistics was performed using the nonparametric tests, i.e., Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: The maximum mean numbers of missing teeth were reported among only smokers (1.44), followed by only smokeless tobacco users (1.43), then both smokeless and smoked tobacco users (1.16), and least was reported by nonusers (0.21). The maximum mean numbers of mobile teeth were reported among both smokeless and smoked tobacco users (2.16), followed by only smokers (2.14), and then only smokeless tobacco users (1.45). The least was reported by nonusers (0.51). On post hoc analysis for missing and mobile teeth, significant differences were seen. Conclusion: The tobacco-related habits were found to be significantly associated with both an increase in the mean tooth loss as well as mobility among the study participants.