Incidence of smoker’s palate in younger patients with smoking habits

Abstract

Smoker's palate is also known as nicotine stomatitis palatini. It is an asymptomatic lesion in heavy pipe and cigarette smoking people, especially people who do reverse smoking. The palate may appear as white with raised red dots in the centre of the papule. This represents the opening of the minor salivary glands, which becomes inflamed due to chronic heat produced during smoking. There were many studies about the incidence and prevalence of smoker's palate in the elderly population. The study aimed to assess the incidence of smoker's palate in younger patients with smoking habits. This is a retrospective study. The sample size was 1000 patients. Data of patients visiting Saveetha dental college between the age group of 18 to 30 years with a smoking habit was collected. Excel tabulation was done. SPSS results were obtained. Out of 1000 patients, 581 patients had smoking habits with a percentage of 58.1%. Out of 581 patients, 21 patients had smokers palate with a percentage of 3.60%. The incidence rate was 36.14 per 1000 per year. The present study shows a slightly rising incidence in smokers palate.