engleski

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF SMOKELESS TOBACCOAEROSOL ON ORAL MUCOSA AND CHEMOSENSORY FUNCTION

INTRODUCTION: Due to increasing health concerns about the harmful effects of smoking and as a harm reduction measure, a new alternative Tobacco Heating System (THS) has been developed. The effects of cigarette smoking on oral health and chemosensory functions have been extensively studied, but there aren't clinical studies investigating the effects of THS on oral tissues and chemosensory functions. AIMS: The aim is to evaluate the effect of new smokeless tobacco products on oral mucosa and chemosensory function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The stratified cross- sectional study included 45 subjects divided into three groups: THS smokers (15), conventional- cigarette smokers (15), and nonsmokers (15). Subjects were clinically examined with standard examination procedures, and olfactory function was assessed with a screening test-Sniffin' Sticks Screening Test (Burghart Messtechnik, Wedel, Germany). The taste function was assessed with a taste function test (Taste Strips (Burghart Messtechnik, Wedel, Germany)) for the basic tastes of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. RESULTS: Participants from the smoking group had an average of 5-10 years of smoking experience and smoked an average of 5-10 cigarettes or more than 15 tobacco sticks/day. A statistically significant increase in taste identification for salty taste was found in THS smokers compared to conventional tobacco smokers (p=0.013). No statistically significant differences were found in oral mucosal morphological changes (p=0.071), olfactory function (0.263), and taste function (p=0.606) - sour (p=0.115), sweet (p=0.954), bitter (p=0.098). CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that the taste perception of salty taste significantly increases in THS smokers compared to conventional- cigarette smokers.

chemosensory function ; oral mucosa ; smoking ; Tobacco Heating System

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