Long-Term Effect of Smoking on The Salivary pH

Abstract

Saliva serves a variety of purposes in the body, including defense against infection, digestion, lubrication, immune system support, buffering, remineralization in healthy oral mucosa, diagnostic use, and proteome analysis. The pH and flow rate of saliva are critical for maintaining oral tissue health. When the pH level falls below the standard range and becomes acidic, it could reflect an abnormality related to oral health issues like cavities and enamel erosion. In addition to influencing salivary flow rate, smoking can also alter salivary pH. The aim of study: To determine the relationship between the smoking and changing the pH level of the saliva. Materials and method: The study included 120 patients (60 smokers and 60 non-smokers) aged between 20-45 years. Saliva samples were collected in the morning after fasting all night then the whole saliva was collected in sterile glass 10 ml beaker. The pH values of collected saliva were measured using digital pH meter. Results: The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between smoking and the changing of salivary pH value by reduction of saliva pH. The p-value is 0.04 (Significant at p < 0.05). Conclusion: Long-term smoking has a significant impact by lowering of the salivary pH value that could make the oral mucosa more susceptible to a range of dental and oral diseases.

Keywords: Smoking, Saliva, pH