Influence of smoking on the elemental composition of oral fluids: a TXRF approach

This work presents a study of elemental composition (major, minor and trace elements) of oral fluids such as saliva and gingival crevice fluid, and their relation with smoking. Spectrochemical analyses were accomplished by the total reflection X‐ray fluorescence (TXRF) method using synchrotron radiation. Smoking habit is a well‐known factor of risk that can trigger the development of periodontal diseases. The presence of certain elements and their correlation with smoking could be used to predict the development of oral affections, i.e. gingivitis. Two set of patients, smokers and non‐smokers, were selected according to certain criteria to analyze saliva and gingival crevice fluid. The elemental concentrations were measured, and the differences between their mean values of both groups were determined. The results reveal significant differences in the elemental concentrations of saliva. On the other hand, the mean values of elemental concentrations in gingival crevice fluid show fewer differences between both groups. The most significant differences in concentration between smokers and non‐smokers were found in saliva samples for S, K and Ca. In addition, a significant difference in the concentration of Cl in gingival crevice fluid was observed between both groups. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.