Association between exhaled carbon monoxide and oral health status in active and passive smokers.

BACKGROUND

Few studies so far have evaluated the association between oral health status and level of carbon monoxide in the exhaled breath (exhaled CO).

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the relationship between oral health status, namely dental caries and periodontitis, and exhaled carbon monoxide in active and passive smokers.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The analytic cross-sectional study sample comprised of 296 Thai adults, aged 30-72 years, residing in an urban district of Khon Kaen province, Thailand during the year 2007, who received exhaled carbon monoxide measurement, oral examination, and interview. Spearman correlation tests were employed to determine the relation between exhaled carbon monoxide and dental caries. In addition, the relationship between exhaled carbon monoxide and periodontitis was evaluated using Mann-Whitney U Test.

RESULTS

The results revealed no relationship between exhaled carbon monoxide and oral health status among passive smokers. Moreover, the relationship between exhaled carbon monoxide and dental caries among active smokers did not exist when education was adjusted.

CONCLUSION

There is no relationship between exhaled carbon monoxide and oral health status in both active and passive smokers.