SIGNS OF ORAL CAVITY MICROCIRCULATORY DISORDERS IN ADOLESCENTS WHO SMOKE

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Periodontology
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Smoking is a prevalent harmful habit with significant negative health consequences.
• Adolescent smoking exacerbates somatic conditions and respiratory diseases, impacting long-term health.
• Disruption of microcirculation in periodontal tissues is implicated in oral cavity pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate early biochemical markers of microcirculation disorders in the periodontal tissues of adolescent smokers.
• To improve diagnostic methods for early-stage inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study of adolescent smokers (14-17 years) and non-smokers.
• Biochemical analysis of oral fluid to measure arginine, nitrates, citrulline, and urea levels.
• Assessment of oral fluid microcrystallization, saliva secretion rate, and pH.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in arginine and citrulline levels were observed between adolescent smokers and non-smokers.
• While nitrate and urea levels showed some variation, differences were not statistically significant.
• These biochemical changes suggest an early response preceding clinical signs of periodontal tissue damage.

Conclusions:

• Smoking adversely affects the oral cavity's mucous membrane in adolescents.
• Arginine and citrulline levels in oral fluid serve as reliable indicators of smoking-induced microcirculation changes.
• Early biochemical analysis of oral fluid can aid in diagnosing periodontal tissue lesions in adolescent smokers.