title: A comparative study of the oral hygiene status of smokers and non-smokers in Ibadan, Oyo state.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of tobacco smoking on gingival health and the oral hygiene status of respondents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 213 adults from three communities in the Ibadan North local government was carried out. Respondents were divided into two groups comprising of 117 smokers (cases) and 96 non-smokers (control). Intra oral examination was done using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) and Gingival index (GI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the smokers was 31.2 ± 12.6 years and that of the non-smokers 32.8 ± 9.5 years. The mean Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) was 1.15 ± 0.51 for the non-smokers and 2.19 ± 0.62 for the smokers (P < 0.05). The mean GI was 1.06 ± 0.55 for the non-smokers and 1.62 ± 0.58 for the smokers (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study shows that smoking is associated with increased severity of gingival disease. It is, therefore, recommended that smokers should be encouraged to visit a dentist for preventive procedure more regularly than the non-smokers and better still, smokers should be encouraged to quit smoking as gingival disease is not without consequences if allowed to persist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology & Community Dentistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Modupe O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Arowojolu
authors.forename: Olufunmilayo I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Fawole
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Dosumu
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Opeodu
keywords: Cigarette smoking; dental; gingiva; gingivitis; oral hygiene status; periodontal; smokers; status