Patients’ perception regarding the effects of smoking on periodontal health

Abstract

R Smoking is one of the major risk factors for periodontal health, leading to higher progression rate of periodontitis and less predictable response to periodontal therapy. The aim of the present study was the assessment of patients’ perception and level of knowledge regarding the effects of cigarette smoking over periodontal health. Material and method: the cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on a sample of 100 smokers using an on-line self-administered questionnaire. Results showed that 52% of participants were heavy smokers and only 57% would consider quitting if they were diagnosed with periodontitis. Signs and symptoms of periodontitis in smokers of which there were most frequently aware are halitosis (75%) and gingival recession (43%) rather than masked gingival bleeding (20%), tooth mobility (31%), bone resorption (20%) or periodontal abscess (23%). Regarding the risks for periodontal treatments in smokers, only reduced percentages of subjects were aware of impaired periodontal healing (24%), infection as complication (32%) and relapse (31%). Conclusion: Participants in the present showed a reduced level of awareness regarding the periodontitis signs and symptoms, a low level of knowledge regarding the potential risks of smoking over periodontal treatment and a low interest in quitting smoking because of periodontal issues.