Abstract
Objectives: A questionnaire-survey to examine the relationship between oral cleanliness and smoking was preformed on 173 patients who visited 'E' dental clinic located in Seoul for a checkup between October 4th, 2007 and October 20th, 2007. Methods: A simple oral hygiene index and hygiene performance index of the patients were compared between smokers and non-smokers after excluding 26 ex-smokers. Results: The average simple oral hygiene index of smokers was $1.72{\pm}0.57$ and it was statistically higher than that of non-smokers which was $1.25{\pm}2.50$ (P < 0.05). The average hygiene performance index of smokers was $1.86{\pm}0.68$, and it was statistically higher than that of non-smokers which was $1.45{\pm}0.4$ (P < 0.05). The simple oral hygiene index was analysed in a group of tooth-brushing practitioners, whose average index was $1.61{\pm}0.52$, and it was statistically higher than that of non-smokers, which was $1.30{\pm}0.46$ (P < 0.05). The average hygiene performance index was analysed in the same group, and that of smokers was $1.70{\pm}0.61$. It was statistically higher than that of non-smokers, which was $1.40{\pm}0.48$, (P < 0.05). Regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between simple oral hygiene indices adjusting tooth cavities, oral odor and sealing of teeth. The results showed that smoking, tooth cavities and oral odor were positively associated while tooth scaling was negatively associated with smoking (P < 0.05). The regression analysis was carried out to examine the relationship of patient hygiene performance index with smoking and tooth cavities, and it was found that smoking and having tooth cavities were statistically associated with a higher index of oral hygiene care (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that smoking affects the simple oral hygiene index and hygiene performance index of patients. Therefore quitting smoking is very important to maintain oral hygiene and providing a program for cessation of smoking is necessary.