There is a relationship between periodontal disease and smoking. Smokers lose more teeth than nonsmokers and have a four times greater chance of having severe gum problems than nonsmokers. Smokers have brown stained teeth, bad breath, loss of taste, and a significant increase in mouth sores and oral cancer. They have a high incidence of bone and tooth loss combined with gum recession. Facial wrinkling and the thickening of their skin also makes smokers look older then they really are.

          The link between periodontal disease and smoking has been established with research. Studies have shown that smoking is a major risk factor for the development and progression of periodontal disease. Smoke is toxic and gives off thousand of nasty chemicals including carbon monoxide, oxidating radicals, nitrosamines and nicotine.

          One of the relationships we sew with periodontal disease and smoking is that smokers often have a large amount of calculus. Calculus is hardened food that sticks to your teeth and is infested with the oral bacteria that cause gum disease. Unfortunately, smoking has a negative effect on treatment. The periodontal tissues in smokers do not heal and regenerate as well as nonsmokers after periodontal therapy.

          Not only is there a link between periodontal disease and smoking, but smokers die earlier than nonsmokers. Why choose to die early? Cigarettes cost a lot of money that could be used enjoying life in other ways. Smoking effects our smile and how it tastes when you kiss someone. The dentists of the Atlanta Dental Group PC are dedicated to their patients' good health and well being. If you need periodontal treatment, you're welcome to join our family of patients. If you wish to schedule a free dental consultation with Atlanta Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, call 404-874-7428. It's your first step in achieving a happy and healthy life.