Smoking and Periodontal Disease
The link between gum infections and smoking has been known to dental professionals for over 50 years. Approximately 25% of people who smoke cigarettes (and 18% of those who smoke cigars or pipes)have moderate to severe bone loss around their teeth. The CDC states that as many as 64% of smokers have some form of gum disease.
One of the biggest factors for smokers is how gum disease symptoms do not present themselves in the same manner as people who are non-smokers. For instance, inflammation and redness may not be visible due to constriction of the blood vessels in their gum tissues. Red flags such as bleeding when you brush and floss may never seem like an issue due to lack of blood flow. As a result, people who smoke may not realize that they have a gum health problem until serious gum recession or tooth mobility are evident. Instead of swollen and red gum tissues, most smokers exhibit a smooth, paler-colored gingiva that essentially mimics the appearance of healthy gums.
When treating gum disease cases, non-smokers see a better recovery in their gum tissue attachment levels compared to non-smokers. Unfortunately, in some smoking cases, treatment is not effective whatsoever in establishing tissue reattachment.
Developing and incorporating a smoking cessation plan in addition to periodontal therapy can significantly improve the chances of saving your smile. People who give up smoking in addition to treating their gum disease are more likely to stop bone shrinkage, prevent tooth loss, and regain the healthy pink gum tissues that are essential for a healthy smile. Taking a whole-health approach to your gum disease therapy can be productive and successful. Talk to your dental provider about which tobacco cessation plan can make your periodontal therapy as effective as possible.
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