Does smoking influence periodontal health?
Statistically, not only do smokers have a greater prevalence and severity of periodontal disease, but usually have a poorer response to treatment. Although the exact mechanism of how smoking effects periodontal health has not been established, it is generally thought that nicotine in smoke causes narrowing of blood vessels thereby decreasing blood flow to infected areas which in itself decreases the body’s ability to heal. There is evidence that smoking negatively influences the success rate of dental implants.
