Khat Chewing Induces a Floral Shift in Dental Material-Associated Microbiota: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background: The habit of khat (Catha Edulis Forskal) chewing is widely practiced in the southern regions of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and East Africa. This social habit has tremendous effects on oral and general health of khat chewers. Khat may affect bacterial species in plaque biofilms on oral rehabilitation materials. This preliminary case-controlled study aimed to assess and compare the effect of khat chewing on bacterial biodiversity between nonkhat chewers (NKC) and khat chewers (KC) in oral biofilms on oral rehabilitation materials using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Material/Methods: Fifty participants were organized into 2 equal groups of NKC and KC, each containing 5 subgroups related to filling material type. Some participants had amalgam (A) or composite (C) restorations, while others had feldspathic porcelain (FP), nickel chromium (NC), and zirconia ceramic (ZC) crowns or bridges. Oral biofilm samples were collected from all participants, DNA was extracted, and samples were subjected to PCR. Bacterial species were then identified and counted. PCR products were sequenced to detect similarity. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of the current study samples were compared with 16S rRNA gene sequences from GenBank using BLAST on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website. Results: The Streptococcus sp. was the most common bacterial species among our participants (40; 80%), followed by Lactobacillus and Veillonella spp., accounting for 12% (6) and 8% (4), respectively. Streptococcus sp. was observed equally among NKC and KC, but Lactobacillus and Veillonella spp. were higher in KC and NKC, respectively. Lactobacillus was associated mainly with prosthetic materials, and Streptococcus was found among all examined dental restorative materials. Conclusions: This research concluded that khat chewing significantly affects bacterial biodiversity in oral biofilms in the presence of different restorative and prosthetic dental materials.

Optimizing the quality of clinical studies on oral microbiome: A practical guide for planning, performing, and reporting

“…-Cigarette smoking, smokeless tobacco use 68,69,[71][72][73][74][75]78,204,205 -Alcohol consumption 80,206 -Betel or khat chewing 81,83 -Diet, sugar intake frequency, time since last food intake, breastfeeding 32,84,85,[87][88][89][91][92][93] Other factors:…”

“…Differences in the oral microbiome of betel chewers compared with the control group were reported 81 . Chewing of leaves and twigs of khat that provide amphetamine‐like effects is another habit gaining popularity among certain cultures 82 and is shown to affect the oral microbiome 83 …”

Influence of Khat Extract (Catha edulis) on Corrosion Resistance of Co-Cr Dental Alloys

“…This habit has been reported to have several detrimental effects on oral and dental tissues [8,9,23,24]. There is an extensive literature on khat-related oral conditions [6][7][8][9]12,23,24]. However, the literature is scarce regarding the potential effects of khat on dental prosthesis and restorations.…”

“…Reported oral and dental effects of khat chewing include, periodontal diseases, dental attrition, mucosal white lesions, xerostomia, temporomandibular joint disorders, among others [6][7][8][9][10][11]. In addition to its effects on oral soft and hard tissues, Khat chewing has been reported to have negative effects on dental restorations and prostheses [12][13][14]. A 2017 cross-sectional survey investigated the pattern of restorative failure among khat chewers and shammah users in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, and found significant association between khat chewing and various restorative failures in amalgam, composite, crowns and removable prostheses [14].…”

Level of Dental Anxiety and Its Relation to Khat Chewing in Jazan Population: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Subjects who have been chewing khat twice a week for a minimum of 3 years or more were considered as a khat chewers. 32 The data were collected by three general practitioner dentists who were trained on using the predesigned questionnaire sheet. The subjects were collected from different clinics in Jazan city, namely, governmental, private, and military hospital clinics.…”