The good news is that quitting seems to gradually erase the harmful effects of tobacco use on periodontal health. The researchers also found that the odds of developing gum disease were increased still further by heavy smoking. If you want to keep your teeth, don't smoke John Hunt, British Dental Association Smokers who smoked less than half a pack per day were almost three times more likely than nonsmokers to have periodontitis. But those who smoked more than a pack and a half per day had almost six times the risk. I hope the staggering statistics from this study will compel even more dental care providers to get involved in tobacco cessation efforts.
Smoking reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the gums.
This damages the healing process, and makes smokers' gums more susceptible to infection. In addition to being a major cause of tooth loss, periodontal disease has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and premature babies. The research was welcomed by the British Dental Assocation. If you want to keep your teeth, don't smoke. The research is published in the Journal of Periodontology.