A pilot investigation into the influence of electronic cigarettes on oral bacteria

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes have already become a popular alternative to traditional smoking. AIM: To observe if there were any changes in oral bacteria of electronic cigarette users. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population included 125 patients (40 – e-cigarette users, 43 – cigarette smokers, 42 – non-smokers). The conducted microbiological tests were aimed at identification of microorganisms with potential pathological influence on the oral cavity. Distributions of the study variables were compared between groups with χ(2) test. All calculations were carried out with Statistical 10 software (Stat Soft Inc.; Tulsa, USA) and intergroup differences were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The differences were statistically significant in relation to Gram-negative bacteria in e-cigarette users (27.5%) compared to smokers of traditional cigarettes (4.6%) (p < 0.05). In relation to Gram-positive bacteria, no statistically significant differences were found between these groups. Co-occurrence of commensal bacteria and potentially pathogenic bacteria from the oral cavity among e-cigarette users was higher than in smokers of traditional cigarettes (32.1% vs. 9.2%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of e-cigarettes caused changes in oral bacteria compared to smokers of traditional cigarettes and non-smokers especially with respect to colonization of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Changes in the oral cavity environment to the disadvantage of commensal flora can affect the course of some pathological processes in the oral cavity.