The Truth About Periodontal Disease
And Smoking

When most of us think about periodontal (gum) disease, we probably can think of gingivitis. This is most likely due to the large number of toothpaste companies that promote products that help fight "plaque and the gum disease gingivitis". And honestly, if gum disease never got any worse than gingivitis, it probably would not be that big of a deal. After all, the symptoms of gingivitis are not really painful but do include: inflamed or reddened gums and maybe some bleeding when we brush or eat something hard like an apple. However, it doesn't really hurt (though some do complain of mild discomfort in their gums) so most of us don't take it or periodontal disease seriously.

Unfortunately, gingivitis is just the first stage of periodontal disease. If untreated, gingivitis will progress into periodontitis. This happens when the bacteria responsible for causing periodontal problems spreads from the gums to the root of the teeth. In time, pockets will form in between the gums and the teeth, and they are prime breeding ground for bacteria. The toxins from the bacteria actually eat away at your gums and will cause the teeth to become loose. Eventually, periodontal disease may be the demise of your teeth that you have worked so hard to maintain over the years.

However, all periodontal diseases begin with those bacteria in your mouth. They form the plaque that all those fancy toothpaste companies want to help you get rid of by using their product. And, if you brushed and flossed regularly, periodontal disease would be far less likely to develop and most likely could be treated with a good cleaning from your dentist every six months.

However, periodontal disease and smoking go hand-in-hand and good oral hygiene may not be enough to save your gums. In fact, studies have proven an established link between periodontal disease and smoking. The chances of a person who smokes developing periodontal disease is 300% higher than a non-smoker. Worse still, treatment for periodontal disease is less likely to be effective for a smoker when compared to a non-smoker.

A big reason why smoking and periodontal disease seem to go hand-in-hand is because smoking impairs the body from defending itself by weakening the immune system and robbing it of vital vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy smile. It is also a fact that people who smoke are more likely to develop a more severe case of periodontal disease. This is believed to be partly due to the fact that the condition goes unnoticed until it has progressed to a severe stage (like when the teeth begin to loosen from the gums). Chronic halitosis is a classic symptom of a periodontal disease and smokers are less likely to notice the problem because of a decreased ability to smell and the fact that they tend to have moderate to severe halitosis themselves.

If you are a smoker, then you are seriously risking the health of your gums and teeth because periodontal problems and smoking are interrelated. The best way to protect both your gums and oral health is to quit smoking. That, and using good oral hygiene along with a mouthwash made from all natural ingredients should greatly reduce your chances for developing gum disease and the problems that go with it.

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