Purpose: To evaluate the effect of tobacco smoking and salivary calcium on the periodontal status of young adults.
Materials and methods: Plaque index, gingival bleeding on probing, supragingival calculus, DMFT index, salivary flow, pH and salivary calcium in unstimulated salivary samples were recorded in smokers and nonsmokers.
Results: There were no significant differences between smokers and nonsmokers with respect to salivary flow (P = 0.08) and calcium level (P = 0.09). Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were found between a higher calcium level and higher probing depth (r = 0.60), higher number of teeth with probing depth of more than 4 mm (r = 0.70), greater clinical attachment level (r = 0.49) and lower number of teeth bleeding on probing (r = -0.50).
Conclusion: Moderate smoking of tobacco cigarettes in young healthy subjects may not have a significant impact on salivary flow or calcium concentrations in unstimulated saliva, but an association exists between an increased level of salivary calcium and development of periodontal disease.