Associations between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and oral health symptoms in adolescents

Abstract

Background Oral health condition in adolescence impacts the oral well-being throughout life. This study aimed to determine the association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and oral health in adolescents, using nationally representative data. Methods Using data from the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, we assessed self-reported data on ETS exposure and oral health symptoms in 37,591 non-smoking adolescents. The dependent variables were self-reported oral health symptoms of adolescents (tooth fracture, dental pain, and gum bleeding). ETS exposure was the primary independent variable. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine these relationships. Results ETS exposure was positively associated with oral symptoms compared to no-ETS exposure in adolescents [boys, odds ratio (OR) 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46–1.66; girls, OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.41–1.60]; individuals with good oral health habits such as frequent tooth brushing [boys, three times or more a day, OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.24–1.53] and less soda consumption [girls, less than once a day, OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.29–2.33] had a weaker association. ETS exposure was positively associated with dental pain [boys, OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.45–1.66; girls, OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.41–1.60] and gum bleeding [boys, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.29–1.58; girls, OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.44]; however, tooth fracture was significantly associated only in girls [OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.13–1.45]. Conclusions ETS in various environments is negatively associated with oral health in adolescents. This association could vary depending on health habits. Sophisticated policies to protect South Korean adolescents from ETS can be developed from these findings.

Maternal consumption of caffeine and second-hand tobacco smoke as risk factors for the development of oral clefts

“…Additionally, these factors have been associated with an elevated risk of spontaneous abortions, chromosomal anomalies, multiple congenital aberrations, 23 and notably, low birth weight. 24 …”

Incidence and Mortality of Salivary Gland Cancer Worldwide and Its Correlation with Tobacco Use (Smoking and Chewing) and With the Human Development Index

“…Tobacco use is considered one of the main risk factors for oral health, which affects the immune system and salivary flow, promoting problems such as dental caries and periodontal disease. 1, 2 Tobacco use is now widely accepted as the cause of many types of cancer, including those that arise in the head and neck region. 3 Tobacco is responsible for approximately 15% of deaths worldwide, often from cancer, heart, or respiratory diseases.…”

Perceptions of the Oral Health Risks of Passive Smoking from cigarettes, Electronic Cigarettes, and Heated Tobacco Products.

“…The dose-response relationship between the level of passive smoking exposure and DMFT scores provides further supporting evidence. Also, the increase in caries in teenagers has been hypothesized to be associated with such exposure 5 . Additionally, passive smoking has been associated with multiple oral diseases, including halitosis, reduced taste perception, teeth staining, leukoplakia, and oral carcinoma 6 .…”