A new report shows yet another health benefit of quitting smoking: it helps your teeth and gums. Researchers at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne found that smokers are six times more likely than non-smokers to develop chronic gum disease and lose their teeth early. However, if you quit smoking, instances of gum disease are significantly reduced.
'Our study shows that people should stop smoking now if they want to increase their chances of keeping their teeth into old age,' said Dr. Philip Preshaw, a specialist in gum disease. The study results were published in the 'Journal of Clinical Periodontology.'
The main reason smokers have more instances of gum disease is that their immune systems are compromised by nicotine and tobacco. Therefore, their bodies are less able to fight the build up of bacteria in plaque that accumulates on the teeth.
Eventually, if not properly treated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss especially if the gums and bone that hold the teeth in place recede.
The study examined 49 smokers who all had chronic gum disease for one year. The results showed that the 20 percent of the smokers who quit smoking during the year had a significant improvement in the health of their gums.
The risk of severe gum disease increased as the number of cigarettes consumed increased according to the study.
Approximately 15 million people in the United States suffer from gum disease according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
