Effect of Consuming Smokeless Tobacco on Total Protein Content in Saliva

Consumption of Smokeless Tobacco possesses a grave concern on the oral health of the consumers. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between consumption of such products with the total protein content in saliva and its effect on taste buds. This study represents a population from a socio-economically lower background in the Southern Part of Mumbai, India who are associated with consuming various forms of Smokeless Tobacco products. The subjects were categorized into classes of age groups ranging from 20-60 for ease of analysis. The data for this study was gathered using a self-administered questionnaire and collecting oral swabs from the subjects. Fort-five subjects who consumed tobacco were analyzed. The oral swab samples were analyzed using Folin-Lowry method of protein estimation. The test samples were compared to a set of samples from non-consumers that were used as controls. 44.44% of subjects indulged in consumption of multiple tobacco products which in turn affected the total protein content in their saliva. 51% of the population preferred to have sweet food while 35.53% of the population preferred food that tasted bitter. 28.87% preferred food that was spicy and 6.66% preferred food that was salty. This study shows a definite correlation between the amount and type of tobacco consumed on the total protein content in the oral cavity and a preference for sweet and bitter food amongst consumers.