Tobacco and Periodontal Disease

What is Periodontal Disease?

• Periodontal Disease is also commonly known as Gum Disease

• This affects the gums and the bone that keeps our teeth in place—it is a bacterial infection

• Plaque is an invisible layer of bacteria that collects naturally on everyone’s teeth from the food and drinks we consume daily

What is Periodontal Disease?

• If plaque is not properly removed by brushing and flossing, it becomes calcified (or hardened) and is called calculus or tartar

• Tartar has to be removed by a hygienist’s instruments or gum irritation and bone loss can occur

BONE LOSS IS IRREVERSIBLE

SRP—Scaling and Root Planing

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrpA3jdH3Og

• 3 mo. Recalls to stay ahead• Arestin®--Local Antibiotic injected into pockets

How Does Smoking Affect Periodontal Disease?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEgkXCIAkjg

How Does Smoking Affect Periodontal Disease?

• Constricts blood vessels—bleeding gums is the first sign of inflammation and infection in gums; because smoking constricts vessels, smoker’s gums bleed very little—often hiding the problem

• Lack of healing/Immunosuppression—smoking prevents the body’s reaction to fight off infection; the immune system is down causing pockets to be unable to attach to the tooth surface

• It is the nicotine that makes one addicted, but it is all the chemicals that make cigarettes dangerous

How Else Does Smoking Affect the Mouth?

STAINS

NICOTINE STOMATITS

HAIRY TONGUE

Steps to Quit

• Set a Quit Date—make this realistic• Nicotine Patch• Lozenges• Nicotine Gum• Have a support system• Find other activities to help resist nicotine

cravings—listen to music, exercise