Assessment of University Students’ Perceptions Regarding the Effect of E-cigarettes on Oral health
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60988/p.v37i4.300Keywords:
electronic cigarettes, vaping, oral health, dental health, university students,Abstract
Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become popular among university students, perhaps their potential negative impacts on oral health remained underestimated. Objective: The present study sought to assess the knowledge of university students about the impacts of e-cigarettes on orodental health, and to investigate factors associated with knowledge deficits in this population. Methods: An online survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students aged 18-30 years at University of Mosul. Participants completed the questionnaire about their knowledge of e-cigarette components. The form included questions about periodontal complications, oral cancer risk, wound healing, and tooth enamel integrity. Demographic data and smoking history were also collected. Results: A total of 392 students participated in the present study, with only 32% of them being e-cigarettes smokers. Smokers were mostly mild smokers (12%) versus only 5% who were heavy smokers. The respondents were highly positive in linking e-cigarettes with stained teeth deficits, such as, stained teeth (73%), bad breath (66%), dental decay (60%), enamel discoloration (67%), while 68% reported mouth irritation, dry mouth, and ulcers. Over half of the respondents (57%) recognized that e-cigarette use changes the oral microbiome, and 71% connected it to plaque accumulation. Participants positively linked e-cigarettes to serious illness, including heart disease (72%), lung cancer (80%), and oral cavity cancers (55%). Conclusions: University students revealed marked knowledge concerning e-cigarette effects on oral health. These outcomes mark the urgent need for public educational programs.
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