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| about periodontal disease |
| In this column, we will reply to questions about periodontal disease, monthly. We hope you can learn correctly what periodontal disease in connection with your health is, and refer to it for your life. |
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| The 4th time basic knowledge
of gum disease |
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Q2:Will
smoking be a cause of periodontal diseases?
A2:
A study reports the risk of smokers to
be affected by periodontal diseases is
2-3 times high for light smokers and 5-6
times high for heavy smokers.
Development of periodontitis is related
to a person's tobacco consumption and
smoking history. The more the number of
accumulated cigarette consumption is,
the further the disease advances. A heavy
smoker with a long smoking history has
higher risk of suffering the gum disease.
The study also shows that one could lower
the risk of periodontal infection by quitting
smoking.
Followings are the mechanism how smoking
exacerbates periodontitis:
Over 2,000 harmful substances are contained
in cigarette smoke. Among them, highly
contained and most toxic substances, nicotine,
tar, and carbon monoxide are called three
most harmful substances.
By smoking, the harmful substances in
cigarette smoke are not only absorbed
through lungs but also through mucous
membrane in a mouth. Damaged by the harmful
substances within the smoke, the supporting
tissues of teeth become impaired. Their
immune competence becomes lower and the
regular defense system becomes disrupted.
In another words, it gives negative impact
on defense cells and fibroblasts of periodontal
tissues. Weakened immune competence at
local area allows bacteria to proliferate
and results in development and advancement
of the disease.
For these reasons, we can say that smokers
are at higher risk of developing periodontitis,
and once it is developed, it advances
faster, takes long to be cured, and the
recurrence rate remains high.
Illustration offer: Okayama University
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