People who smoke are much more likely than nonsmokers to develop gum disease.
just the facts
Current smokers are about four times as likely as people who have never smoked to have gum disease. (1)
More than 40% of all cases of gum disease are due to smoking. (2)
Among people age 65 and older, about 20% of smokers have none of their teeth left, as compared to 10% of nonsmokers. (3)
Sources 1. Kerdvongbundit V, Wikesjo UM. Prevalence and severity of periodontal disease at mandibular molar teeth in smokers with regular oral hygiene habits. Journal of Periodontology 2002;73:735-740. 2. Kerdvongbundit V, Wikesjo UM. Prevalence and severity of periodontal disease at mandibular molar teeth in smokers with regular oral hygiene habits. Journal of Periodontology 2002;73:735-740. 3. Academy of General Dentistry. How many teeth are in that cigarette pack? (fact sheet, undated). Available online at www.agd.org/consumer/topics/tobacco/cigarettes.html
definition
Do you know what causes people to lose their teeth?
The most common cause of tooth loss isn't cavities, and it isn't accidents. It's gum disease -- what dentists call periodontal disease. Gum disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque can damage your gums. If the damage gets bad enough, your teeth may become loose. They may fall out or have to be removed by a dentist.
explanation
People who smoke are much more likely than nonsmokers to develop gum disease. Smoking hurts the gums by promoting the development of a hardened form of plaque on the teeth and by weakening the body's defenses against bacteria in the mouth. Current smokers are about four times as likely as people who have never smoked to have gum disease. (1) More than 40% of all cases of gum disease are due to smoking. (2)
Because smoking promotes gum disease, it increases the risk of tooth loss. A pack-a-day smoking habit costs smokers, on average, two teeth every ten years. Smokers are also more likely than nonsmokers to lose all of their teeth. Among people age 65 and older, about 20% of smokers have none of their teeth left, as compared to 10% of nonsmokers. (3)
