Association of tobacco use with periodontal status and salivary biomarkers (thiocyanate and pH) among construction workers: a cross-sectional study

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The study aimed to assess and compare the periodontal status, salivary thiocyanate levels and salivary pH among non-tobacco users, smoked tobacco users and smokeless tobacco users. A cross-sectional investigation was carried out on 75 construction workers from active construction sites in Mangalore, Karnataka, India, aged 20-60 years. Participants were categorized into three groups: individuals with no tobacco habit, those consuming smoked tobacco, and those using smokeless tobacco. The periodontal condition of all subjects was evaluated with the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2013). Salivary thiocyanate concentration was estimated with an ultraviolet spectrophotometer set at a wavelength of 447 nm, whereas salivary pH was measured using a digital pH meter. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 19.0). To compare variations among the groups, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied, followed by Tukey's post hoc test for pairwise comparisons. Gingival bleeding scores were elevated in smokeless tobacco users (100%) compared to smoked tobacco users (88%) and non-users (48%). Periodontal pockets > 6 mm were found in 84% of smoked tobacco users and 76% of smokeless tobacco users, while non-users had none. Mean salivary thiocyanate levels were significantly higher in smoked tobacco users (11.28 ± 1.23) than in smokeless users (7.67 ± 1.08) and non-users (4.26 ± 1.15) (p < 0.001). Salivary pH was lowest in smokeless tobacco users (6.18 ± 0.49), indicating a more acidic environment compared to smoked tobacco users (6.35 ± 0.54) and non-users (7.76 ± 0.45). Both smoked and smokeless tobacco use were associated with poorer periodontal parameters and altered salivary biomarkers among construction workers. Smoked tobacco users demonstrated higher salivary thiocyanate levels, while smokeless tobacco users exhibited lower salivary pH. These findings suggest that salivary biomarkers may reflect tobacco exposure and warrant further investigation regarding their relationship with periodontal disease severity.

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