Smoking and its Link to Periodontal Disease

You know that smoking increases your risk of certain types of cancers and heart disease. Did you also know that smoking can increase your risk of gum disease? Our North Hollywood dentist wants to arm you the information to make healthy decisions, especially those which affect your oral health.

Tobacco use is one of the biggest risk factors in developing periodontal, or gum, disease. Not only does smoking raise your risk of getting gum disease, but it also makes you far less likely to heal properly after dental surgery or periodontal treatment.

Gum disease often results in tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss for all age groups. People who lose teeth to gum disease must face dental procedures such as dental implants in order to replace their missing teeth. If you are a smoker as well, these types of procedures may not be as successful, or may take much longer to heal than for a non-smoker.

For some patients, implants are not an option due to the fact that they cannot tolerate dental surgery. In this case, dentures may be the only option available to replace missing teeth.

For some, who have lost only a few teeth, dental bridges may also be an option. However, smoking stains and destroys dental appliances, so dentures and bridges are often affected by smoking, as well.

If you are suffering from gum disease related to smoking, visit our dentist in North Hollywood. You can learn about all the options available for dealing with your oral health issues, and ways to quit smoking to preserve your overall health, as well.

Source: Dentist North Hollywood

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