What Are The Detrimental Effects Of Conventional Cigarette Smoking On Oral Health?

The detrimental effects of conventional cigarette smoking on oral health are already well known. From benign to life-threatening diseases such as discolourization of teeth and dental restoration, bad breath, taste and smell disorders, impaired wound healing periodontal disease, short-term and long-term implant success, oral mucosal such as smokers melanosis and smoker palate and potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer.

Smoking is still a problem in Indonesia with a high number of consumers approximately 57 million smokers in Indonesia comprises of 63% of men and 5% of women reported being smokers, a total of 37.6% of the whole population. Recently alternative tobacco products are gaining popularity all around the world including in Indonesia such as heated tobacco products, vape and snus and it is claimed as less harmful or reduced-risk products. But who knows? Is the evidence convincing?

Studies carry out in dentistry evaluating the smokers who switch to Alternative tobacco products or Combustion-Free Nicotine Delivery Systems revealed that they demonstrated a reduction in the prevalence of micronucleated cells in Buckle sweps, indicating that switching to alternative products, may lower the prevalence of oral cancer.

Smokers who switch to alternative products had no discolourization of teeth compared to those who continue to smoke and the gum of smokers who switch show improved gum response to bacterial plaque challenge compared to those who continue to smoke. In addition, smokers who switch to alternative products tend to have lower plaque accumulation than smokers who continue to smoke.

Unfortunately, there are still significant misconceptions about nicotine and tobacco harm reduction among both physicians and the public in Indonesia. As a researcher and educator I recommend that the stakeholder, the Authority or the government apply evidence-based policy.

These alternative products may benefit us in decreasing the prevalence of oral diseases related to smoking as well as helping smokers who are unwilling to quit or are not able to stop.