Passive Smoking Linked to Worse Dental Health and Oxidative Stress in Children

Exposure to passive smoking, or secondhand smoke, is a significant environmental hazard, particularly for children, contributing to a wide array of health problems. This exposure is known to induce oxidative stress, an imbalance between harmful oxidants and protective antioxidants, which can severely impact overall health, including oral health. Elevated oxidative stress is often implicated in the development and progression of dental caries (cavities), a prevalent chronic childhood disease. While the detrimental effects of passive smoking on general health are well-documented, the precise interplay between salivary antioxidant/oxidant balance, antimicrobial peptides like LL-37, and dental status in children exposed to secondhand smoke remains poorly understood.

The study revealed significant and concerning differences in salivary markers and dental health between the two groups. Children exposed to passive smoke exhibited significantly lower TAS levels (mean 0.85 mmol/L vs. 1.20 mmol/L in controls, p<0.001), indicating a compromised antioxidant defense system. Conversely, their TOS levels were markedly higher (mean 12.5 µmol/L vs. 8.0 µmol/L in controls, p<0.001), suggesting a substantial increase in systemic oxidative stress. >The most striking finding was a 2.3-fold increase in the prevalence of dental caries among passive smoking children (75% affected) compared to the control group (33% affected, p<0.0001). Furthermore, salivary LL-37 levels were significantly reduced in the passive smoking group (mean 1.5 µg/mL vs. 2.8 µg/mL in controls, p<0.005), potentially impairing their innate oral immune response. A strong inverse correlation was observed between TAS levels and caries severity (r = -0.68, p<0.001), reinforcing the link between antioxidant capacity and dental health.