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[P211]Periodontal Disease And Smoking

by Kristin Gabriel, Kri

People who smoke hould know about all the dangers of tobacco use. Research indicates that there is less success with periodontal treatments and dental implants. Researches have also found that the following problems occur more often in people who use tobacco products: Bad breath, oral cancer, stained teeth, tooth loss, loss of taste, bone loss, gum recession, mouth soars and facial wrinkling.

There are also other medical problems associated with smoking including lung disease, cancer, heart disease and low-birth-weight infants.

Smokers concerned about the effects that tobacco can have on your health, gums, and teeth in particular, will at least learn all the negative impacts of tobacco use, once they have read this article.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the development and progression of periodontal disease. And following periodontal treatment or any oral surgery, the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process. Treatment results are therefore less predictable.

Here are some of the ways that one Los Angeles dentist who specializes in periodontal gum disease and oral implants believes smoking increases your risk for periodontal problems. "Smokers as opposed to nonsmokers are more apt to have calculus, or plaque, which hardens on teeth," said Dr. Bijan Afar. "Calculus can remain below your gum line and the bacteria in the calculus can destroy gum tissue and cause gums to pull away from your teeth if not treated."

Smokers are also more apt to get deep pockets between the teeth and gums and they also have loss of the bone and tissue that supports teeth. Periodontal disease gets worse when the pockets between the teeth and gums grow deep, which allows bacteria to destroy the gum tissue and bones. Your gums may shrink away from your teeth and if you are not treated by a periodontist, your teeth may become loose and fall out. It has been proven that smokers loose more teeth than nonsmokers. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only about 20 percent of people over age 65 who have never smoked are toothless, while a whopping 41.3 percent of daily smokers over age 65 are toothless.

Research shows that smokers don't heal as well after periodontal treatments as. This is reversible if the smokers quit smoking before beginning peridontal treatment.

Furthermore, all tobacco products can be harmful to periodontal health, such as smokeless tobacco (nicotine gum products) also can cause gums to recede and increase the chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place. In a study of cigar and pipe smokers that was published in January, 1999 in the Journal of the American Dental Association it was stated that cigar smokers experience tooth loss and alveolar bone loss at rates equivalent to those of cigarette smokers. Pipe smokers experience tooth loss at a rate similar to cigarette smokers.

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, can definitely take itstoll on a person's gums. It does, however, have a progression that may not benoticed until it is too late. Many individuals make the mistake of thinkingthey don't have periodontal disease because they don't feel any pain. That iscertainly a myth. Some people experience receding gum lines and other gumissues without ever feeling a thing. That is why it is important to know whatyou need to look for.

Healthy gums

You have to know what healthy gums look like in order toknow whether or not something is wrong. As stated before, you don't have tofeel pain or discomfort to have periodontal disease. It can do the damage longbefore you notice, so knowing that healthy gums are to be a pink or pink coralcolor, have the texture of an orange peel, and contours the teeth is a greatstart. There should be no bleeding during daily oral hygiene and no discomfort.

Even if your gums are healthy, you can use preventivemeasures such as brushing at least twice daily, flossing daily, and using afluoride mouthwash. You can also use additional products such as Nature?sSmile, which is an oral balm made with natural ingredients that are used on thegums to prevent and treat gum disease in both adults and children.

From healthy gums tounhealthy gums

When you know what healthy gums are supposed to look like,the transition from healthy gums to unhealthy gums can be a bit morenoticeable. You'll notice that the gums are redder than normal or swollen. Theymay not be painful yet, but they will become painful if the condition isallowed to progress. Before you know it, you could be experiencing a recedinggum line around one or more of your teeth, your gums are very tender, and theybleed. This can lead to such situations as temperature sensitivity and laterresult in tooth loss.

Even if gum disease has just begun, it is important to dosomething about it before it gets any worse. You do not have to resolveyourself to just dealing with it. No one has to set back and let it take itstoll. There is no reason to subject yourself to that type of pain. The idea isto relieve it before it can get any worse. That way you don't have to deal withsuch issues as bleeding of the gums, temperature sensitivity, or tooth loss.This can make eating meals difficult and, believe it or not, having healthyteeth and gums is vital to ensuring proper nutrition. If you can't eat certainfoods because your gums hurt, then you are not going to be able to eat thefoods you need.

What to do

Again, you want to brush at least twice each day, flossdaily, and use a fluoride mouthwash. In addition, use an oral balm such asNature's Smile to both prevent and treat periodontal disease. It never hurts touse something extra, especially if it is going to be helpful and healthy.

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About Author

Both Kristin Gabriel & Ginger are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Kristin Gabriel has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cure Anxiety, Heart Diseases and Aging Problems. Kristin Gabriel is a social media marketing writer and PR professional. Her client, Dr. Bijan Afar, is a and oral surgeon who owns five dental clinic. Kristin Gabriel's top article generates over 90500 views. to your Favourites.

Ginger has sinced written about articles on various topics from Alternative Medicine, Fitness and Alternative Medicine. To keep or get back healthy gums, Nature's Smile is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. Visit http://www.naturessmile.com to learn more about how this product can help you.. Ginger's top article generates over 1000 views. to your Favourites.