Saliva test reveals smoking and gum disease worsen cell damage

This study looked at whether smoking and severe gum disease (Stage III periodontitis) increase damage to DNA and RNA in cells. Researchers measured two markers of oxidative stress in saliva from 88 adults, including smokers and non-smokers with and without gum disease. They found that people with gum disease had higher damage levels, and smokers with gum disease had the highest. The findings suggest a simple saliva test could help detect gum disease and show how smoking adds to cell stress.