Laboratory Salivary Markers to Assess the Risk of Gingivitis in Divers

Abstract

The study aims to monitor salivary marker values in divers, their change with smoking, and assess whether they can serve as a screening and risk assessment for the development of gingivitis. Twenty military divers and a control group of twenty-five were included in the study, divided into two subgroups: smokers and non-smokers. Unstimulated saliva was used as the biological material. Several biochemical parameters (uric acid, alpha-amylase, nitrite, total protein, albumin and sIg A) and cells in saliva (leukocytes and epithelial cells) were examined. The results confirmed that tobacco compounds' toxic and irritating effects compounds on the oral mucosa. Tobacco smoking decreased antioxidant mucosal defences, altered the composition and concentration of salivary biomarkers. It also increased leukocyte counts as a reactive inflammatory immune defence. The changes are most pronounced in the smoker - divers. A simple, non-invasive saliva collection procedure provides the advantages of salivary methods for rapid assessment of oral health, risk of oral inflammation and prevention of oral syndrome in divers.