Micronucleus assay and oral hygiene index in smokers

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Smoking can lead to oral disease. Many people are unaware of the relationship between smoking habits and oral hygiene index (OHI), up to potential oral diseases. Micronuclei (MN) is used as an indicator to look at the cytotoxic effects of smoking and as a biomarker for assessing DNA damage. This study aimed to identify a correlation between the amount of MN and the OHI on smoking habits. Sixty-two subjects with more than 5 years of smoking habits were examined. Oral mucosal cells were collected from both sides of the cheeks and slides were prepared and examined for cells with MN where the presence of MN was assessed under 1000x magnification. The OHI was measured to assess dental debris and calculus. The results showed no significant correlation between MN and OHI of smoking statistically (P = 0.61). The genotoxic effect of smoking caused chromosomal damage in epithelial cells of the oral mucosa and was reflected in the occurrence of MN and smokers’ poor OHI.