What effect does tobacco have on the development of periodontal disease?

Studies show that tobacco is one of the most significant risk factors in the development of periodontal disease.

Smokers have a greater likelihood of tartar forming around the teeth, of abscesses forming between the gum and tooth and of the tissue holding the teeth being destroyed.

Tobacco alters local defences in the area of the gums and enables the accumulated bacteria to be more aggressive. The immune system reacts late and weakly which permits the teeth to be attacked more severely by the bacterial plaque layer.

In addition, the components of tobacco (tar, nicotine, etc.) affect the bone in which the teeth are embedded in terms of bone resorption and, so, the functionality of these teeth may be altered.

It is important for all smokers who come in for treatment – whether periodontics, surgery or implants, etc. – to be aware that tobacco may have a very serious negative impact on the success of the treatment undergone.