Prevalence of Oral Mucosal Lesions among Tobacco Consumers: Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Different lesions of mucosa can arise in people with a habit of tobacco usage. An assessment of prevalence of such lesions among tobacco consumers was done through this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1000 persons were included in this cross-sectional survey. Individuals with a habit of tobacco usage in any form were included in the study. Demographic data were recorded for each study participant. Furthermore, all the participants were examined for associated oral lesions through toluene blue staining method. RESULTS: Types of tobacco consumption reported were for bidi, cigarette, hookah, gutkha, zarda, pan masala, and supari. Different types of associated lesions that were observed included tobacco pouch keratosis, leukoplakia, smoker’s melanosis, erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia, squamous cell carcinoma, sub-mucous fibrosis, and lichen planus in descending order. The oral sites involved were buccal mucosa, labial mucosa, floor of the mouth, gingiva, palate, and tongue in descending order. CONCLUSION: Various types of oral lesions can arise due to tobacco usage in different forms. The most common change observed is pouch keratosis in chewers and leukoplakia in smokers.