Many people know about the affects of smoking on the lungs, heart and other internal functions. Many only associate bad breath and yellowing teeth as the only periodontal issues they face from smoking. However, many don't know about the link between smoking and periodontal disease. The American Academy of Periodontology is trying to educate people on the effects of smoking on the teeth. The academy states that smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop periodontal disease.
Calculus
Calculus is the hard plague that develops on the teeth that only a dentist can remove. When dentists do not remove this hard substance from the teeth and it develops below the gum line, gums recede from the teeth. Smoking increases the risk of developing calculus, a condition that leaves gums exposed to periodontal disease.
Deep Pockets
Smoking increases a person's chances of developing deep pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets make them vulnerable to developing periodontal disease. The American Academy of Periodontology states that these deep pockets allow bacteria that cause periodontal disease to grow between gums. Left untreated, tissue and bones deteriorate and teeth appear longer, are painful and may even fall out.
Tooth Retention
The American Academy of Periodontology research illustrates another link between smoking and periodontal disease--loosing teeth. The research data, retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states only 20 percent of nonsmokers older than 65 loose their teeth. However, more than 40 percent of toothless senior citizens were daily smokers.
More than Cigarettes
The link between smoking and periodontal disease is not exclusive to cigarettes. Periodontal disease risks increases with all forms of tobacco, including pipes and cigars. The Academy of Periodontology states that people who use smokeless tobacco expose themselves to gum disease and receding gum lines. A study by the Journal of American Medicines even states that smoking cannabis increases people's risk of developing periodontal disease.
Oral Procedures
In addition to creating an oral environment that produces bacteria that leads to periodontal disease, smoking increases a person's recovery time after oral procedures. Smokers do not heal as fast as nonsmokers after oral surgery and they experience more pain associated with gum and teeth surgeries.
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