The aim of the present study was to establish the relationship between tobacco use and periodontal health in an adult sample in India. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted in a province of southern India on total sample of 805 subjects between the ages of 30 and 69 years.
Oral mucosal findings were present more in the regular smokers and chewing tobacco users than in the non-consumers. Analysis of CPI index indicates that consumers had in all sextants higher frequency of CPI 4 (deep periondontal pockets)whereas non-consumers exhibited higher rates of CPI 0 (healthy periodontium).
The present analysis shows that tobacco use exerts a strong and chronic effect on periodontium and oral mucosa.