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The association between environmental tobacco smoke and primary tooth caries

Jonathan D Shenkin1, Barbara Broffitt, Steven M Levy

  • 1Boston University School of Dental Medicine, USA. jshenkin@aol.com

Journal of Public Health Dentistry
|September 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) face a higher risk of developing dental caries. This study found a significant association between secondhand smoke exposure at home and increased cavities in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Environmental Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is linked to adverse health effects in children.
  • The impact of ETS on pediatric dental health, specifically caries, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and the prevalence of dental caries in children.
  • To assess if ETS exposure increases the risk of cavities in a pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 637 children from the Iowa Fluoride Study was analyzed.
  • Children were categorized based on household smoking status and socioeconomic status (SES).
  • Dental caries was diagnosed by the presence of fillings or cavitated lesions in primary teeth.

Main Results:

  • Children in homes with regular smoking showed a higher prevalence of dental caries.
  • A significant association between ETS exposure and caries was observed, even after adjusting for confounding factors like SES and fluoride intake (OR=3.38, P=.001).
  • Specifically, middle SES children from smoking homes had a 52% caries prevalence compared to 24% in non-smoking homes.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental tobacco smoke exposure is significantly associated with an increased risk of dental caries in children.
  • This finding highlights the detrimental effect of secondhand smoke on pediatric oral health.
Abstract

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