Research Article Open Access

Carbonated Drinks May Alleviate Oral Submucosal Fibrosis: Analysis of Oral Health Screening Data in a Tropical Reefs

Abstract

Objectives: It is deserved attention whether there are specific oral health problems in the long term resident populations on the tropical reefs. Methods: Oral health screening data of a unit on a South China Sea reef, 55 males, 26.35 ± 3.98 years old, were collected. The oral disease distribution and their relationship with habits of the smoking, betel nut chewing, and carbonated drinking were analysed. Results: The top three oral problems were dental calculus (67.27%), abnormal eruption of wisdom teeth (47.27%) and periodontitis (36.36%). dental calculus was correlated with periodontitis (r=0.465, P=0.000), beverage drinking habit (r=0.277, P=0.041), and betel nut chewing habit (r=-0.276, P=0.041). 7 cases (12.7%) of Oral Submucosal Fibrosis (OSF) were diagnosed. Those who smoked more than 10 years and chewed betel nut every day for many years were more likely to develop OSF (P=0.000). Those had carbonated beverage drinking habit had lower incidence of OSF (P=0.002), even they chewing betel nuts or smoking. Conclusions: The residents in tropical reefs are needed to pay more attention on the oral health conditions. Carbonated drinks may neutralize and alleviate the damage of betel nut alkaloids or nicotine to OSF. Clinical relevance for the first time, it was observed that carbonated drinks might prevent the occurrence of OSF in betel nut chewing and smokers, although its certainty and potential mechanism need to be clarified and explored.

Xiaoqian Qiu, Ruiyong Chen*

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