Effects of Tobacco on Salivary Antioxidative and Immunologic Systems.

Background: Tobacco use is a harmful habit that causes adverse effects on oral health and plays a most important role in cancer development. Saliva is the first fluid that is exposed to tobacco and its antioxidant system plays an important role in anti-cancer potential; therefore, this study was designed to compare the antioxidant activity and immunologic system of saliva in tobacco users (smokers and smokeless tobacco users) and non-users. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, unstimulated saliva samples of 75 healthy individuals from three equal groups were investigated.