Association of Bacterial Growth in the Oral Cavity between Tobacco Smokers and Tobacco Chewers

Smoking is considered the major risk factor in the prevalence, extent and severity of several oral diseases. Use of tobacco alters the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity. Hence the present study examined the impact of tobacco use and its cessation on the density of oral microbial population. Study includes 90 subjects with age range 25-65 years, categorized as healthy controls (n = 30), smokers (n = 30), and tobacco chewers (n = 30). Oral bacteria in smokers, tobacco chewers, and non-tobacco users were measured using a spectrophotometer after incubation at 37oC for a 24 h, 36 h and 48 h period. Tobacco users exhibited an increase of bacteria when compared to non-tobacco users/ healthy controls. This study revealed that tobacco chewing has a more significant effect in increasing the oral microbial population than the tobacco smoking and affect the oral hygiene.