The association of secondhand smoke exposure and dental caries in children and adolescents: a literature review

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is an important public health concern, especially for children. SHS not only affects the physiology of children who are exposed to it but also has adverse effects on their general and oral health. This review highlights how the exposure of children to SHS is linked to dental caries and examines the factors that foster the association. Research shows that there is an independent association between SHS exposure and dental caries, especially in primary teeth. However, the association between SHS exposure and dental caries in permanent teeth must be explored further through well-designed studies because statistically significant evidence is lacking.