Understanding the Dangers of Tobacco Smoking
Many smokers need to be informed of the dangers of tobacco use because just 29 percent of smokers say they think themselves to be at a high risk for heart attack. This is according to a study printed last March 1999 by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Information is largely available for the medical dangers caused by smoking such as lung cancer and other lung diseases, heart problems, pregnancy and birth defects, however, smokers just ignore them.
In addition to lung diseases, smoking is a great factor about a specific threat to the person’s oral health, which is the development of periodontal disease. Modern studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the most significant risk factors in the occurrence and progression of periodontal disease. Also, during follow up periodontal treatment or any type of dental surgery, the chemicals in tobacco may slow down the healing process and make the treatment results less effective. Periodontal disease often starts with inflamed gums that are characterized by swelling, redness and puffiness of the gums.
In what way does smoking increase a person’s risk for having periodontal disease? A smoker is more likely than nonsmokers to have the following problems:
1. Calculus – This is plaque that has hardened on your teeth and can only be removed during a professional dental cleaning.
2. Deep pockets between your teeth and gums – This gum problem that has resulted is called gum recession in which the chemicals in the tobacco is sighted as a cause of inflamed gums resulting to receding gums.
3. The loss of the bone and tissues that support your teeth.
When left untreated, periodontal disease will progress and the gaps between your teeth and gums will grow deeper, allowing in more bacteria to destroy tissue and the bone that supports your teeth. As a result, the gums shrink away from the teeth making them look longer and larger, sometimes even exposing the root. Without immediate treatment, your teeth becomes loose, painful and eventually will fall out.
If you know a smoker and you are concerned about the effects smoking can have on his or her health, then educating this person by accessing information about the damaging impacts of tobacco use will be helping him take the first step toward quitting. The main thought of this is to help someone be smoke-free for a day in hopes of encouraging that person to quit forever.
