Tooth Decay in Alcohol and Tobacco Abusers
Author Information
Author(s): Rooban Thavarajah, Vidya KM Joshua, Elizabeth Rao, Anita Ranganathan, Shanthi Rao, Umadevi K Ranganathan
Primary Institution: Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India
Hypothesis
Dental caries is influenced by the type of psychoactive substance use.
Conclusion
The study found that tobacco use significantly increases the risk of dental caries, while certain conditions like attrition may provide some protective effects.
Supporting Evidence
- Alcohol and tobacco users showed a higher incidence of dental caries.
- Attrition and extrinsic stains may provide some protection against caries.
- The study involved a large sample size of 2694 participants.
- Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in dental caries experiences among different substance use groups.
Takeaway
People who use alcohol and tobacco are more likely to have tooth decay, but some habits can help protect their teeth.
Methodology
The study compared dental caries experiences among different groups of alcohol and tobacco users using clinical examinations and statistical analyses.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data on substance use may lead to underreporting or misreporting.
Limitations
Data on tobacco use were self-reported, which may introduce bias, and the study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences.
Participant Demographics
The majority of participants were male (99.81%) with a mean age of 38.49 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website