Effects of narghile use on oral health: a comparative cross-sectional study

The study aimed to assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and periodontal disease in narghile users. A sample of narghile users (n=45) and non-users (n=45), matched by age and sex, was selected from the School of Dentistry at the Federal University of Goiás and tobacconists in Goiânia, Brazil. Demographic and socioeconomic data and characteristics of narghile users were collected through a structured questionnaire. The degree of dependence was assessed using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. The median age was 25 (18 - 54) years in users and in non-users, with a predominance of males (80%, n=32). The median duration of use was 6.5 (0.5-33) years. Bleeding on probing was 29.72% (0.6-100) in users and 20.66% (0.2-63.4) in controls (p=0.799). Periodontitis was more frequent in users (n=19; 47.5%) than in controls (n=3; 7.5%) (p<0.001). An association was observed between the degree of dependence and periodontitis (p=0.002). In narghile users, 17 (42.5%) lesions were observed, including two leukoplakia cases. It was concluded that narghile users showed more oral cavity disorders compared to non-users, and an important association was found between the degree of dependence of narghile use and periodontitis.