Is smoking the cause of periodontal disease?
The worst effect of smoking on the gums is a reduced blood flow to the gums because nicotine is a vasoconstrictor of blood vessels. Obviously if the periodontist does gum surgery, he wants blood flow to the normal and good so everything heals up the way he wants. Smoking also contributes to gum disease since tar from the smoke settles onto the teeth quickly. The tar makes it easier for bacteria to stick to your teeth and harder for you to clean your teeth. The bacteria becomes tartar which you can no longer remove with flossing and brushing but can only be scrapped off by a dentist or hygienist. The plaque and tartar are masses of bacteria that give off stuff that irritates the gums and causes gingivitis and periodontitis (bone loss around the teeth). Hope that helps a little.
