Association between intensity of smoking and periodontal pockets among young university students

Smoking is known to be a risk factor for the progression of periodontal disease.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between intensity and duration of cigarette smoking with the presence of periodontal pockets at a young adult age in relation to oral hygiene practices.

A comparative study was carried out on a systematically selected random sample of 357 Jordanian university students aged between 18-28 years. Subjects were interviewed about their smoking habits for the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration. Clinical examination was performed by a qualified periodontist for the detection of periodontal pockets (probing depth > or = 5 mm). Subjects were divided into four groups: Group A (smoker with pockets at many sites), Group B (smoker with no pockets), Group C (non-smoker with pockets), and group D (non-smoker with no pockets). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of association, One-Way ANOVA, and Logistic Regression were performed (P < 0.05).

The study showed 40.2% pockets prevalence among smokers (group A), while it was only 11.8% for non-smokers (group C), indicating strong association between periodontal pockets and smoking (P < 0.0001). Odds ratio for group A compared to group C was 5:1. In addition, the heavier the dose and the longer the duration of smoking, the more periodontal pockets were present (P < 0.0001). A significant association of the presence/absence of periodontal pockets and patient's own oral hygiene practices was found among the four groups (p < 0.05).

Among young smokers, this study has confirmed existence of significant association between smoking and presence of periodontal pockets, especially with increased intensity and longer duration of smoking.