Smile Services

Periodontal Disease & Smoking

Smoking increases your risk

It's common knowledge that smoking has been linked to both lung and heart disease. But smoking can also increase your risk of periodontal disease. Smokers are more likely to have a build up of tartar on their teeth, where disease-causing bacteria thrive.

A chronic infection

Periodontal disease is essentially a chronic, open infection in your mouth. Smoking worsens the condition by damaging the natural processes your body uses to fight the periodontal infection; smoking reduces saliva levels, restricts blood flow, and damages your immune system.

There is no good news

There are over 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, ammonia and arsenic. Also, smokers are four times more likely to have advanced periodontal disease, and are twice as likely to lose their teeth.

If you have any other questions, ask us for more information.