Smoking and periodontal disease
More than 4000 different toxins are present in cigarette smoke. They
include carbon monoxide, oxidating radicals, nitrosamines and nicotine.1
Fifty percent of smokers will die from a smoke related disease.2
Other than the many systemic diseases associated with tobacco use, there
are many oral conditions attributed to it, such as:3
oral cancer
dental cavities
periodontal disease
partial and complete tooth loss
The effects of cigarette smoking on periodontal disease increases with
the amount smoked. Smokers have fewer teeth and higher rates of total
tooth loss as compared to nonsmokers.4
Smoking creates environment for periodontal-causing bacteria to exist
and to thrive. Smokers have higher levels of periodontal pathogenic bacteria
than nonsmokers. Smoking one pack per day for 10 years will cause about
a 10 percent loss of bone support. Smoking one pack per day for 20 years
or two packs for ten years will cause a 20 percent loss.5
Long-term studies reveal that the majority of tooth loss in 19 to 40
year olds is associated with those smoking more than 15 cigarettes per
day.
Smoking also has a detrimental effect on wound healing after surgical
and nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Nonsmokers respond better to periodontal
therapy than smokers.
Gum grafting, which is used to cover exposed root surfaces, and guided
tissue regeneration, which is a procedure used to replace missing tissue
support around teeth, are more successful in nonsmokers.7
Smoking is a significant contributor to many diseases. If you smoke,
try to quit. If you don't smoke, don't let your children start smoking.
- U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; publication No. 82-50179
- Doll et all, Mortality in relation to smoking; Br. Med J 1994:309;
901-911
- Christen AG; The impact of tobacco use and cessation of oral dental
disease and conditions American Journal of Medicine 1992, 1993, 25s-31s.
- Molin G; Smoking as an additional risk for tooth loss; J. Perio 1994;
65:996-1001.
- S. Grossi; Annual meeting 1998 of the American Academy of Periodontology.
- Page and Beck Risk assessment for periodontal disease; Int. Rent J
47:61-87, 1997.
- 1996 Annals of Periodontology.
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