Smokers may have problems treating periodontal disease
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024
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Smoking may hinder the successful treatment of periodontitis - a common dental pathology, which is accompanied by regression of adjacent peri-dental tissue and eventually causes tooth loss. This conclusion was made by experts from Aarhus University in Denmark.
The appearance of bad breath, occasional blood discharge, discoloration of gum tissue, discomfort when eating - these are the most common signs of periodontitis. In the most complex cases, there is pain and burning, loosening and falling out of teeth. In this pathology, an intensified complex effect is applied, including hygienic procedures, vitamin therapy. A new condition put forward by experts for the successful treatment of periodontitis involves getting rid of such a bad habit as smoking.
Scientists analyzed the impact of infrequent and frequent smoking on the dynamics of treatment of mild and complex cases of periodontitis. As a result of this work it was found out that in avid smokers suffering from severe inflammatory process in the periodontium, the effectiveness of treatment was practically reduced to zero. And in heavy smokers with a moderate course of periodontitis, the treatment showed only a 50% effect.
"Surprisingly, we found that the course of the disease in patient smokers worsened in several directions at once, despite comprehensive individually adjusted treatment interventions" - noted one of the initiators of the study - noted one of the initiators of the study.
According to statistics, a fairly large percentage of the world's population suffers from periodontitis: among them, up to 18% are smokers. Treatment of the disease includes total cleaning of the teeth, hygienic and anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes surgery.
According to scientists, it is important to inform patients about possible adverse effects in a timely manner, to encourage patients to quit smoking, to develop new clinical guidelines with descriptions of potential solutions to the problem.
"This is completely new information for dentists. It should definitely be taken into account when prescribing treatment to patients who smoke," the researchers said.
Until now, dentists have only recommended that patients temporarily limit smoking as part of their periodontal disease treatment. The study demonstrates that smoking should be stopped altogether. Otherwise, it will not only hinder the success of treatment, but will also contribute to subsequent exacerbations of the disease.
"All avid smokers with dental problems should realize that quitting the bad habit will be a crucial step in the effective and complete elimination of the pathological process" - summarized the experts.
Details of the study are published in the Journal of Dental Research, as well as on page