Winter Maladies: Natural Approaches
June Russell's Health Facts
Smoking - Teeth/Gums
Smokers are four times more likely than nonsmokers to have periodontal disease (those who smoked less than a half-a-pack per day were almost three times more likely - those who smoked more than a pack-and-a-half per day had six times the risk). Recent reports have linked periodontal disease to the development of more serious diseases. Smoking reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the gums. (HealthCentral.com, Reuters Health, June 2000)
Smokers are roughly four times more likely to need further dental work than other patients. Smoking limits the growth of blood vessels and therefore slows down the healing of damaged gum tissue. The thought of losing their teeth might be an incentive for smokers to stop the habit. (Smoking gums: A real drag, Health magazine, Jan./Feb. 2000)
Those who use tobacco expose themselves to nicotine which causes the blood vessels to contract, and therefore deprives the teeth roots of their daily nutrition. Often in smokers, the teeth are the first to go. (Total Wellness, Sherry Rogers, M.D., 1998)
Total tooth loss (endentulism) is common among smokers. (Washington Post
Health, April 20, 1999)