Tobacco Linked to Gum Disease
If you’d like to have a healthy smile as you age, steer clear of tobacco products. Smoking may cause almost 75 percent of periodontitis among American adults.1 Smokers are about four times more likely than people who have never smoked to have advanced gum disease.2 In the advanced stages of periodontal disease, the gums pull away from the teeth, making them appear longer. If not treated, the disease-causing bacteria can destroy the connective tissue and bone surrounding the teeth. Teeth then can become loose and painful, and fall out.3 Chemicals found in tobacco also can slow down the body’s ability to heal itself and make periodontal treatments less effective.4
Smokeless (Spit) Tobacco also Harmful
Spit tobacco isn’t a safe alternative to smoking. It can harm your mouth, too.5 Grit, sand and toxic products found in smokeless tobacco products can cause receding gums. Sugar, often used to flavor these products, can promote cavities. Gum recession and tooth abrasion can lead to tooth loss.4 Smokeless tobacco users also have more cavities in the roots of their teeth, as receded gums expose the roots to cavity-causing bacteria.6
Saving Your Smile
The good news is that quitting can help turn back the clock on tobacco use.7 By quitting, you also will reduce your risk for oral cancers, such as cancers of the mouth, lip, and tongue.1 For information on how to kick the habit, talk with your dentist or physician.7
1 “Smoking (Tobacco) Cessation: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).” American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2615.aspx?currentTab=2 Accessed 2010.
2 “More Information on Tobacco Use and Periodontal Disease.”American Academy of Periodontology, May 8, 2008. http://www.perio.org/consumer/smoking_info.htm Accessed 2010.
3 “Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, July 23, 2008. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/7B7D24C2-02E5-47C8-B076-27CB580FAF82/0/PeriodontalGum_Eng.pdf Accessed 2010.
4 “Tobacco & Periodontal Diseases: Targeting Tobacco Use.”American Academy of Periodontology. http://www.consumer/brochures/rtg.pdf Accessed 2010.
5 “(Spit) Smokeless Tobacco.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, August 5, 2008. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/SpitTobacco/ Accessed 2010.
6 "Spit Tobacco Users More Prevalent in the South.” Academy of General Dentistry, March 2007. http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=335&Topic=T&ArtID=1358 Accessed 2010.
7 “Guide to Quitting Smoking” American Cancer Society, August 7, 2008. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp Accessed 2010.