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    January 20, 2021
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SMOKERS AT HIGHER RISK OF LOSING THEIR TEETH, RESEARCH SHOWS A new study has confirmed that regular smokers have a significantly increased risk of tooth loss. The study results show that male smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, whereas female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely. Tooth loss remains a major public health problem worldwide. Globally, close to 30% of 65- 74 year olds have lost all of their natural teeth. Most teeth are lost as a result of either caries (tooth decay) or chronic periodontitis (gum disease). Smoking is a strong risk factor for periodontitis, so that may go a long way towards explaining the higher rate of tooth loss in smokers. Smoking can mask gum bleeding, a key symptom of periodontitis. As a result, the gums of a smoker can appear to be healthier than they actually are. The association between smoking and tooth loss was stronger among younger people than in the older groups. In addition, the results clearly demonstrated that the association was dose-dependent; heavy smokers had higher risk of losing their teeth than smokers who smoked fewer cigarettes. The good news is that quitting smoking can reduce the risk fairly quickly. Eventually, an ex- smoker would have the same risk for tooth loss as someone who had never smoked, although this can take more than ten years. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1844809 SMOKERS AT HIGHER RISK OF LOSING THEIR TEETH, RESEARCH SHOWS A new study has confirmed that regular smokers have a significantly increased risk of tooth loss. The study results show that male smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, whereas female smokers were found to be 2.5 times more likely. Tooth loss remains a major public health problem worldwide. Globally, close to 30% of 65- 74 year olds have lost all of their natural teeth. Most teeth are lost as a result of either caries (tooth decay) or chronic periodontitis (gum disease). Smoking is a strong risk factor for periodontitis, so that may go a long way towards explaining the higher rate of tooth loss in smokers. Smoking can mask gum bleeding, a key symptom of periodontitis. As a result, the gums of a smoker can appear to be healthier than they actually are. The association between smoking and tooth loss was stronger among younger people than in the older groups. In addition, the results clearly demonstrated that the association was dose-dependent; heavy smokers had higher risk of losing their teeth than smokers who smoked fewer cigarettes. The good news is that quitting smoking can reduce the risk fairly quickly. Eventually, an ex- smoker would have the same risk for tooth loss as someone who had never smoked, although this can take more than ten years. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL 1844809