Systemic correlations of the oral microbiome and salivary parameters in smoking patients

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C. Schwarz
I. Alexa
I.E. Lile
R. Dumitrescu
V. Bolchis
D. Jumanca
D. Negru
O. Balean
R. Oancea
A. Galușcan
R. Sava-Rosianu

Abstract

The oral microbiome is intricately linked to human health and systemic diseases, with smoking being a prevalent risk factor. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the impact of smoking on salivary parameters in individuals aged 20-55 without systemic diseases who exclusively smoked traditional cigarettes. Ethical approvals were not necessary as existing data from English-language publications between 2021-2022 were used. The analysis included 33 studies with 2813 participants (1392 smokers and 1421 non-smokers). The primary focus was on salivary pH changes in smokers compared to controls, with varied collection methods and restrictions. Additionally, 10 studies assessed total salivary antioxidant capacity in both groups. The results revealed lower salivary flow in smokers, while salivary antioxidant capacity varied. Overall, smoking emerged as a significant public health concern in the EU, contributing to high mortality rates. The findings demonstrate that smoking is associated with decreased salivary pH, reduced salivary flow, and lower total salivary antioxidant capacity, potentially leading to oral mucosal and dental problems and an increased risk of periodontal disease and premalignant lesions.

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