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Cigarette smoke contains a large amount of oxidative species, and therefore smoking represents a significant source of oxidative stress. Saliva possesses protection mechanisms from oxidative attack. Smoking is one of the main and most prevalent, risk factor for chronic periodontitis and oral tumors. The purpose of the study was to investigate the smoking effect on salivary antioxidant capacity, appreciated by glutathione level (GSH). Material: There were recruited 10 persons (non-smoker group) and into the smoker group 14 healthy subjects who reported smoking more than 10 cigarette/day, for more than 2 years. Un-stimulated whole saliva samples were obtained in the morning, after two hours of tooth brushing and smoking. Salivary flow was noted. Salivary glutathione was performed by dithio-bisnitro-benzoic acid method (DTNB), in 1-2 hours after saliva collection, in order to avoid the release of GSH from destroyed cells. Results: GSH level into the non-smoker group was higher (63.43 ± 32.64 microM/L), than into the smoker group (60.44 ± 28.83 microM/L). Salivary flow was 0.414 ± 0.171 ml/min. to non-smoker compared with 0.55 ± 0.14 ml/min. in smoker group. Also, in smoker group was observed high levels of desquamated epithelial cells and the decrease of cell viability under 90%. Early after one cigarette smoking the salivary flow and GSH increased. Conclusion: Smoking modified the GSH levels and can produced noxious effects on oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]