Gum disease, the infection of the gums and bone which supports the teeth, is a condition found to be affecting the majority of adults. It has been a known fact that the bacteria in the mouth can cause this condition. Due to research and scientific studies, it has been proven that there are risk factors that modify this initiation and the progress of infection in the teeth and gums. One of these risk factors is smoking which can make the gum disease worse.

Gum disease itself only has a few symptoms and silently progresses.  By the time a person realizes that he needs treatment, it would have significantly affected the mouth.  When a person smokes, they will have a very high tendency of tartar formation, gum tissue destruction and bone loss. Even those that are not suffering from gum disease can have receding gums and loose the tooth’s supporting bones because of smoking. People who have friends that are heavy smokers are also exposed to compromised periodontal health via second hand smoke.

People who smoke packs of cigarettes and tobacco per day have greater risk in gum disease. This is due to the nicotine effect and other smoke toxins and chemicals that inflame the gum tissue. These toxins and chemicals cut the amount of oxygen to these tissues causing inflammation which then triggers the excessive production of a harmful amount of cytokines to cells and tissues. Smoking also weakens a person’s immune system and blocks the production of antibodies, which is the body’s natural defense against bacteria and other disease-causing agents. Once the immune system starts to malfunction, it is easy for infection to grow.

Smoking and gum disease is a distressing development for smokers due bad breath which is very noticeable. To prevent or cure gum disease, one must take immediate action. When one quits smoking, his recovery begins in earnest.  Vitamin C supplements can be taken because these are usually depleted in smokers. Eating citrus fruits and grapefruits can also help increase the Vitamin C levels in the body.

Antiseptic mouthwash must also be used twice a day to remove bacteria from the mouth.  One must also have regular dental check up with 3 to 6 months interval so that professional mouth cleaning is done.  Other techniques include all out surgery to do deep cleaning of the teeth and repositioning the bones for those severe cases of gum disease.