Betel and tobacco chewing habit and its relation to risk factors for periodontal disease

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To comparatively assess periodontal status in patients who chew different products and patients who do not have this habit and to assess how this practice interacts with predisposing factors and risk indicators of disease. METHODS: Patients included in the dental care carried out in a rural community in India were considered for a cross-sectional study. The simplified oral hygiene index and the community periodontal index (CPI) were assessed. Furthermore, a validated survey with items concerning chewing habits was administered. Statistical analysis of the effects of age range, gender, chewing products and hygiene status on CPI was performed. RESULTS: In total, 1,023 patients met the inclusion criteria. The chewer patients (430) exhibited a significantly higher CPI than the non-chewers (593). The chewing habit increased the likelihood of a higher CPI by 6.76-fold, while excellent-good oral hygiene status decreased the probability of a higher CPI by approximately 45%. CPI did not differ significantly among chewers of different products. CONCLUSION: In the population studied, a chewing habit was associated with a worse periodontal status, and this association was not modified by gender and age as predisposing factors. Oral hygiene could decrease the effect of chewing habit on periodontal health.