Effect of Aerosol From THS and Cigarette Smoke on Periodontal Tissues and Its Microbiome

Periodontal diseases are multifactorial in nature, and in addition to the microbiological challenge, susceptible host and genetic background, smoking and some systemic diseases contribute to a higher incidence of periodontal diseases in such groups of people by 85%. The cause of most, if not all, diseases caused by cigarette smoking is the inhalation of toxins present in cigarette smoke. Toxins produced by burning tobacco in cigarettes contain more than 6,500 ingredients, 150 of which are toxic. Since most of these toxins are tobacco pyrolysis products, research aimed at their reduction led first to the development of electric cigarettes, and then to the THS (Tobacco Heating System) or HnB (Heat not Burn) system. There are THS, or HnB, systems from various manufacturers, but IQOS (Phillip Morris International) is one of the most widespread. It was designed as a 'healthier', i.e. less harmful, alternative for smokers of classic cigarettes. The potential of this system is that it promises less harm to human health, while at the same time instantly reducing the craving for cigarettes, and the impact on eCO (eng. exhaled CO- carbon monoxide) is minimal .

The device consists of an IQOS holder and a pocket charger. The pocket charger is used to store and charge the IQOS holder, while the holder is used to insert the HEETS tobacco insert and consume it. The principle of functioning of such cigarettes is somewhat different, but for the body's needs for nicotine, it is very similar to a classic cigarette.

Tobacco in a THS cigarette is heated up to 245 or up to 350 degrees Celsius (depending on the manufacturer), but it does not burn like in classic cigarettes, and does not produce fire, ash or smoke. By heating the tobacco in a THS cigarette, nicotine, volatile substances and glycerol are released, which create an aerosol. Such an aerosol is mainly a product of evaporation and distillation, not combustion and pyrolysis. It contains up to 90% less dangerous and potentially dangerous ingredients compared to classic cigarettes. The reduction of dangerous ingredients and the absence of smoke in such cigarettes should be accompanied by a reduction in the risk of all diseases associated with smoking traditional cigarettes. When smoking, tobacco in a classic cigarette reaches a temperature of up to 600 degrees Celsius, and in addition to fire, it also produces ash and smoke. Red and orange complexes of microorganisms, which are proven periodontal pathogenic bacteria present in people suffering from periodontal diseases, are more common in smokers than in former smokers or in those who have never smoked. Also, the prevalence of periodontal pathogens in the sulcus of healthy people who smoke is closely related to the amount of cigarettes as well as smoking status. The longer the smoking period and the greater the cigarette consumption, the greater the quantity of periodontal pathogens. Cigarette smoking affects the incidence, the course itself, but also the progression of periodontal diseases because it has a strong influence on the immune and circulatory systems. It has been proven that smoking affects the vasomotility of blood vessels, especially vasoconstriction, and that the number of blood vessels in the oral cavity is reduced in smokers, which results in weaker tissue perfusion, weaker healing, worse response to periodontal therapy, and thus the prognosis of the disease. For example, in patients suffering from aggressive periodontitis (early onset periodontitis) cigarette smoking has a direct effect on the chemotaxis and function of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and macrophages, a decrease in the levels of IgG and T lymphocytes , as well as NK cells. Cigarette smoke potentiates the growth of periodontopathogenic species through such modifications and manipulations of the immune system. Furthermore, cigarette smoke affects the very microbiological diversity of the surface of the buccal mucosa. Considering such an influence on mucosal microorganisms, investigators can assume that something similar can take place in the dental biofilm on the tooth surface. The literature on the harm of cigarette smoke to general health, as well as oral health, is very extensive, and there is evidence of harm to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity as well as the supporting apparatus of the teeth. It has been proven that cigarette smoke also affects the subgingival microbiological composition in healthy individuals and is responsible for the depletion of beneficial bacteria and the increase in the number of periodontal pathogens in periodontal patients. Differences in bacterial communities between smokers and non-smokers with moderate chronic periodontitis showed that bacteria of the genus Bacteroides were more common in non-smokers, and fusobacteria, fretibacteria, streptococci, and Veillonella in smokers. Also, Prevotela, Campilobacter, Aggregatibacter, Haemophilus, etc. were less common in smokers. It is also interesting that Neisseria longata is common in non-smokers, while 5 other genera of Neisseria were found in larger quantities in smokers.The effect of aerosols from THS on the cells of the oral cavity and gingiva has not been sufficiently investigated so far. Research is mainly based on the impact of such an aerosol on the epithelial cells of lung tissue or bronchi. According to one study, THS has a very similar effect on the lung parenchyma as a conventional or electric cigarette. It can increase oxidative stress, inflammation and infection and initiate epithelial-mesenchymal changes that can lead to disease. Also, THS aerosol can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction of tracheal epithelial cells leading to altered mitochondrial function that can increase airway inflammation. Examination of the cytotoxicity of THS in this study proved that it is lower compared to a classic cigarette, but higher compared to an electric cigarette. Cells exposed to THS aerosol secrete less IL-1 β and IL-6 compared to cells exposed to cigarette smoke. Another study conducted on an animal model (rat) concludes that the aerosol emitted from a single Heat Stick - HEETS (tobacco heating insert) can quickly and significantly impair the function of the endothelium of blood vessels compared to conventional cigarette smoke.

Given that the oral cavity is the first anatomical structure with which inhaled cigarette smoke or IQOS aerosol comes into contact with the vital cells of our organism, it was necessary to examine the biological impact of smoke or aerosol on human gingival fibroblasts and keratinocytes on this first interactive line. Research has proven that IQOS aerosol stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts, prolongs and intensifies the S and G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and affects greater survival, integration and greater adhesive capabilities of keratinocytes. Most in vitro studies indicate that cigarette smoke reduces the viability, proliferation and migration of oral cells, reduces the production of inflammatory mediators, but also stops the cell cycle and initiates apoptosis. IQOS is associated with less keratinocyte apoptosis, while cigarette smoke is closely associated with high cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis.

Researches about this system and its effect on human health are lacking, and conclusions are given cautiously and dosed, calling for further investigations.

Currently, there are no available clinical or in vitro studies that are directed towards the issue of the impact of THS aerosols and cigarette smoke on periodontal tissues and that are also compared according to any parameters. Investigators hope that this research will clarify some unknowns and doubts and certainly help in better understanding the impact of this system on the dental support apparatus.