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With the successful marketing of the cigarette manufacturers and the extremely

addictive quality of nicotine and other toxins found in cigarettes, smoking has long been the most abused legal “drug” in our society. Less well known are the oral side effects of smoking versus its’ systemic counterpart symptoms. Unfortunately most oral symptoms are “silent” and painless. Smokers experience 10-15% higher rates of gum disease and subsequent tooth loss.

Gum disease in smokers presents with no bleeding or pain concurrent to the nicotine eating away at the supportive bone structures holding the teeth in our head. No bleeding occurs while this bone loss occurs as the nicotine has vasoconstricted “squeezed” the blood vessels in your whole body. The natural reaction of blood vessels is to expand in the presence of infl ammation and disease. Thus superfi cially the gums look healthy, fi rm and pink while deeper down, the bone is shrinking away - eventually resulting in tooth loss. Smokers will lose their teeth sooner, have 11% less success in dental implant success and have higher risk of mouth cancer in the sides of their tongue, fl oor of the mouth and gum tissues.

Going for dental cleanings and checkups regularly for smokers is even more vital than for non-smokers. “Pocket measurements” must be done regularly throughout the mouth at least every year if not more frequently and any pockets more than 4mm must be treated with laser surgery which is the latest scientifi cally documented treatment. If pockets are more than 6mm deep, an individual may have to be treated with fl ap surgery supplementing laser treatment.

Smokers have a diffi cult path to quitting, due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine. Support is available from many health care practitioners, but studies have proven that at least reducing to 1/2 a pack a day (ie 10 cigarettes or less) is benefi cial to oral health. The highest level of improvement can only be achieved with full cessation of smoking.

This week is Smoking Cessation Week. Wishing you all the best in your new year’s resolution!

Dr Desai is a Certifi ed Specialist in Periodontics, Laser gum treatment and dental implants. She can be contacted @ www.kamloopsperiodontist.com

TOOTHFULLY SPEAKING!

DR. PREETY DESAI

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