Crosstalk between oral and general health status in e-smokers

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a clinical observational study on the impact of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on the oral and general health status of smokers who switched to e-cigarettes. The study focuses on the periodontal health status and the patients' awareness of the changes in their health status.

Key Points:

* The study involved 110 out of 350 smokers who switched to e-cigarettes for at least 4 ± 1 months.
* Patients were divided into two groups based on their years of smoking.
* The plaque index (PI) and bleeding index (BI) were used to assess the periodontal health status.
* The study found a progressive improvement in the periodontal indexes and general health perception in patients who switched to e-cigarettes.
* Many patients reported a reduction in the need to smoke.
* The study suggests that e-cigarettes can be a valuable alternative to tobacco cigarettes with a positive impact on periodontal and general health status.
* The study has limitations, such as the lack of a control group, the small sample size, and the self-reported outcomes.

Main Message:
The main message of the study is that e-cigarettes can be a helpful tool for smokers who want to quit smoking and improve their oral and general health status. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to understand the long-term effects of e-cigarette use. It is important to note that e-cigarettes are not risk-free and should not be used by non-smokers or children. Public health policies and regulations should consider the potential benefits and harms of e-cigarettes and promote evidence-based strategies to reduce tobacco use and its health consequences.

Tatullo, Marco, Stefano Gentile, Francesco Paduano, Luigi Santacroce, and Massimo Marrelli. “Crosstalk between Oral and General Health Status in E-Smokers.” Medicine 95, no. 49 (December 2016): e5589. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000005589.