Smoking, Oral Hygiene, and Periodontitis

What is Periodontitis? Bleeding gums Swollen or tender gums Loose teeth Pus between your gums and your teeth Shifting teeth or a change in your Persistent bad breath

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Do the above conditions sound familiar?  There are several forms of periodontitis (periodontal disease) which exist.   Although smoking is a huge factor in the rapid progression of this condition, there are other important factors as well, including poor oral hygiene and genetic disposition.   Poor oral hygiene creates inflammation of the gums (gingivitis), which then leads to bone loss around teeth, eventually leading to loose teeth, as well as halitosis (bad breath).  Smoking eliminates the antibody IgA in our saliva (as well as the saliva itself) which is needed to fight this inflammation.  Smoking also compounds the issue of halitosis in these patients.  If you are experiencing any of the above list of conditions, I strongly urge you to consult your dentist if you have not done so... oh, yes, and don't forget to floss!

Smoking is the #1 factor for severe Periodontitis!

• Smoking reduces or eliminates the antibodies in saliva.
• Smoking contributes to Dry Mouth (xerostomia) which leads to many oral health problems.
• There is no known cure for Periodontal Disease!

- A number of studies have strongly linked smoking as having a severe impact on periodontitis in adults.  Since there is no known cure for Periodontal Disease, I feel it is drastically important that people who smoke know ALL of the potential health consequences.   Our office will work diligently with any patients who are interested in improving their oral health and/or quitting smoking.   In addition to active periodontal therapy provided by our office, patients actively participate in their quest for a happier smile by improving their home care and using additional aids such as chlorhexidine bactericidal mouth rinses.  

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