Smoking and Oral Health

National Center for Health Statistics: Data Brief No. 85: Current smokers (16%) were twice as likely as former smokers (8%) and four times as likely as never smokers (4%) to have poor oral health status.  Current smokers (35%) were almost 1 1/2 times as likely as former smokers (24%) and more than two times as likely as never smokers (16%) to have had three or more oral health problems.  "The evidence for an association between tobacco use and oral diseases has been clearly shown in every Surgeon General's report on tobacco since 1964.  Tobacco use is a risk factor for oral cancers, periodontal diseases and dental caries, among other diseases.  Oral health problems may be early warning signs of other medical problems such as diabetes, HIV, heart disease or stroke."  According to the report summary, "Good oral health is integral to good general health."  Ask your prosthodontist for smoking cessation advice.  
Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309