1. Smoking or poor oral hygiene do not predispose to peritonsillar abscesses via changes in oral flora.
- Author
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Sanmark, Enni, Wikstèn, Johanna, Välimaa, Hannamari, and Blomgren, Karin
- Subjects
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ANTIBIOTICS , *SALIVA microbiology , *ALCOHOL drinking , *FLOW cytometry , *LONGITUDINAL method , *ORAL hygiene , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *RISK assessment , *SMOKING , *TOOTH care & hygiene , *TONSILLITIS , *PATIENTS' attitudes , *PHYSICIANS' attitudes , *PERITONSILLAR abscess , *DISEASE risk factors - Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine if there is a difference in number and distribution of salivary bacteria between patients with tonsillar infection and healthy volunteers. Background: The etiology of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is unclear. Smoking, periodontal disease, and infection of minor salivary glands have been suggested as predisposing factors for PTA. Material and methods: Patients with acute tonsillitis (AT) (n = 54), peritonsillitis (PT) (n = 36), PTA (n = 58), and healthy volunteers (n = 52) were prospectively recruited and evaluated. Saliva bacteria were analyzed with flow cytometry. Patients and their treating physicians completed a questionnaire about patients' current disease, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and oral health. Results: There were no differences in the total number of saliva bacteria between patients with acute throat infection and healthy volunteers (p =.104) or between AT, PT, and PTA patients (p =.273). Smoking habits, alcohol consumption, oral hygiene, or prior antibiotics had no effect on total amount of salivary bacteria in patients with acute throat infection. Conclusions: The effects of smoking on salivary bacteria do not seem to be the mechanism that promotes development of PTA in smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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