The influence of different factors on the oral health status of smoking and nonsmoking adults.

AIM: The aim of this study to determine the influence of smoking on self-reported oral health status among university students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Voluntary sample of 669 adults of 18 to 26 years old were invited to participate in the study. They were asked to read a self-designated questionnaire and a covering letter which explained the purpose of the study. The questionnaire addressed self-reported demographics, oral hygiene and smoking habits; knowledge about smoking and its effects on oral health. Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test to determine statistically significant differences across the oral health status. RESULTS: The sample included 340 (56.7%) males and 240 (43.3%) females; 56.8% of the subjects were nonsmokers; 43.2% were current smokers, and 17.5% smoke argileh. Almost 24.7% of subjects started smoking because of emotional effects; 66.9% did not smoke because of its harm to health. The percentage of subjects with dental plaque on their teeth was 27.1%, and with calculus was 27.9%, and with stains was 26.9%. About 35.5% of the subjects brushed their teeth once daily. Statistically, significant association was proven between smoking and gender (p < 0.01); and smoking and halitosis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Smoking is significantly related to esthetics, calculus, tooth stains, halitosis, gingival bleeding, and gender with p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p = 0.05, and p < 0.01 respectively.