Knowledge and perception of oral risks in users of electronic and traditional cigarettes

Abstract

This study was conducted to better understand how much e-cigarette and traditional cigarette users in the city of Ibarra know and how they perceive oral health risks. The main objective was to provide a clear view on the level of knowledge these users have about how these products affect their oral health, and also to compare perceptions between the two types of cigarettes. To achieve these objectives, a descriptive and cross-sectional research was designed. A structured survey, validated in a pilot test, was used as the main tool to collect the data. The study sample consisted of 400 participants, equally divided between e-cigarette and traditional cigarette users. The results showed that traditional cigarette users had greater knowledge about the negative effects of these products on oral health. Furthermore, greater knowledge was found to be associated with better oral care practices, especially among traditional cigarette users. It was also observed that younger users, particularly those using e-cigarettes, had a lower risk perception. This study highlights the need to intensify educational campaigns on the dangers of e-cigarettes and their impact on oral health. It also suggests that further research be conducted to better understand the long-term effects of these devices on different population groups.