Waterpipe Smoking Effect on Clinical Periodontal Parameters, Salivary Flow Rate and Salivary pH in Chronic Periodontitis Patient

Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking has become common especially among young people, Waterpipe smoking misconcepted as a safer mean of smoking, so in this study we will highlight the effect of Waterpipe smoking on periodontal and oral health. Materials and method. The selected 100 male subjects of 30-40 years, categorized into 4 groups (each group 25 subject): Waterpipe smoker with healthy periodontium, Waterpipe smoker with chronic periodontitis, Nonsmoker with healthy periodontium and Non-smoker with chronic periodontitis. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected. Clinical measurements: plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, salivary flow rate and salivary pH were recorded. Results. In the healthy groups: plaque index and salivary pH were higher in smokers than non-smokers but with no significant difference (P>0.05). While gingival index and salivary flow rate were higher in smoker than non-smokers and with significant difference (p<0.05). In the chronic periodontitis groups: plaque index, gingival index and salivary flow rate were higher in the non-smokers than smokers and with significant difference (p<0.05). While salivary pH was higher in the non-smokers than smokers but with no significant difference (P>0.05). Correlation between weekly smoking hours with pH and salivary flow rate, in the smoker healthy groups, showed significant negative correlation, while plaque index showed significant positive correlation at (p<0.05). But in the smokers with chronic periodontitis, only gingival index significantly correlated with weekly smoking hours. Conclusion. Waterpipe smoking has a detrimental effect on the periodontium and overall oral health.