Prevalence of Nicotine Stomatitis Among Patients Visiting a Private Dental Hospital - An Institutional Study

Abstract

Introduction & Background: Nicotine stomatitis, also often referred to as nicotinic stomatitis, is a reaction seen on the roof of the mouth caused by extreme heat in the mouth, most commonly from smoking. It is also known by many other names including nicotinic stomatitis, stomatitis nicotina and smoker's keratosis. This lesion develops due to the concentrated stream of heat released from the tobacco products and the chemicals in tobacco. Aim is to study the prevalence of nicotinic stomatitis among patients visiting a private dental hospital. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted involving a dental hospital from July 2020 to March 2021. A total of 40 patients were selected from DIAS based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria were selected based on patients diagnosed with nicotinic stomatitis and exclusion criteria were patients other than nicotinie stomatitis. All available case sheets were reviewed and analyzed in SPSS version 23. Results: In this study forty patients were reported with smokers' palate. Data from the current study revealed that 37% of patients that are above 50 years old are more prevalent to smokers' palates. Among them all of them were male. Among the reported cases 37 % of patients gave a history of white patch followed by Hyperkeratinization.Pearson chi square test shows 0.00, (p value < 0.05). Hence, it is statistically significant. Conclusion: It can be concluded that prevalence of Nicotine Stomatitis among patients visiting a private dental hospital is predominantly seen in patients above 50 years old. Elderly individuals are vulnerable to oral mucosal lesions when compared to younger individuals. White patch is predominantly seen in smokers' palates and is painful due to chronic heat.