Oral health status in individuals with poly-tobacco use

Relevance. Over the past five years, smoking has evolved beyond traditional forms. Alongside conventional cigarette smoking, the use of electronic cigarettes has rapidly gained popularity. Most people do not realize that both types of smoking pose comparable health risks. Inhalation of nicotine and various chemical compounds adversely affects the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, while also damaging oral tissues. The consequences include a range of diseases and irreversible oral changes. Poly-tobacco use represents a significant challenge in dental practice and warrants thorough investigation of its impact on oral health. Objective. To assess the oral health status of individuals with poly-tobacco use. Materials and methods. The study enrolled 80 individuals aged 30 to 50 years. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 – exclusive cigarette smokers; Group 2 – individuals with poly-tobacco use, specifically conventional cigarettes, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), and electronic non-nicotine delivery systems (ENNDS); Group 3 – non-smokers. Results. Oral health indices were determined for all groups. The poorest oral hygiene was observed among participants with poly-tobacco use, while non-smokers demonstrated the most favorable oral hygiene. A questionnaire survey revealed that all respondents were aware of the harms of conventional cigarette smoking; however, only 41 participants reported awareness of the risks associated with electronic cigarettes. Among participants with a history of smoking, the most common oral conditions included pigmented dental plaque and calculus, gingivitis, halitosis, and xerostomia. Isolated cases of peri-implantitis and leukoplakia were also recorded. Conclusion. Most individuals remain unaware of the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes, thereby exposing themselves to oral health risks. The marked increase in poly-tobacco use is a serious public health concern. In the long term, this trend may pose a global problem, particularly for younger generations.