Comparación del ph salival e índice de caries en alumnos fumadores vs no fumadores, UCSG.

Abstract

Introduction: The relationship between smoking and the risk of developing tooth decay is controversial. Dental caries is a disease of multifactorial etiology. Saliva is the first biological fluid to be exposed to the harmful components of the cigarette. Objective: To analyze and compare the level of salivary pH and dental caries index among young smokers and nonsmokers to determine if there is a relationship between smoking and the appearance of dental caries. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional and observational study was carried out in the facilities of the dental clinic of the UCSG. The prevalence of smokers was determined through surveys. Subsequently, clinical inspections were performed: salivary pH was measured using pH measuring strips and the presence of dental caries was diagnosed for all individuals. Results: The smoking prevalence was 20.41%. Non-smoking students presented salivary pH of 6.86 ± 0.46 and smokers 6.54 ± 0.51, with significant difference (p <0.05). Regarding dental caries, the CPOD index of the control group was 4.07 ± 2.72 and 4.64 ± 3.01 for the smoking group, it was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). According to daily consumption, salivary pH decreased for each group, and the CPOD index varied between each one. Conclusions: The group of smokers presented a lower salivary pH indicating that cigarette use is related to salivary pH more acidic, and as the daily consumption of cigarettes increases salivary pH decreases. As for the CPOD index, it was higher for the group of smokers, these differences are not significant.