Gum Disease Treatment Houston

Does Tobacco Increase Your Chances Of Getting Gum Disease?

Tobacco will increase your chances of getting gum disease. Therefore, if you smoke or chew tobacco, it is a good idea to quit. The following information details how this happens.

How Smoking Triggers Gum Infections?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), smoking makes it easier for you to get gum disease. That is because the habit weakens the immune system, or the infection fighters in the body, thereby making it more difficult to stave off any kind of infection. Once you get gum disease, smoking, which deprives the body, as well, of oxygen, slows the healing process. Therefore, smoking can make it really tough to treat a gum infection or swelling.

What Do The Statistics Show?

With respect to risk, smokers have twice the chance of getting gum disease over people who don’t smoke. Therefore, your chances are pretty good that you will need periodontal treatment if you currently smoke. Moreover, if you have smoked for a long time, you increase your gum disease risk even further. As noted, any treatments for the disease will not work as well if you continue to smoke. If you have advanced gum disease, we will need to perform a deep cleaning below the gum line and prescribe a mouthwash or antibiotics. In some cases, surgery will be needed to remove tartar deep beneath the gums. In some cases, surgery may be needed to heal the bones or gums that have been lost to gum disease Any of the above treatments may be needed, especially if you smoke or use tobacco products.

If you believe your gum disease has resulted from smoking, take measures to quit now. Doing so will make any prognosis for treatment more positive. If you have not done so already, schedule a comprehensive periodontal exam (CPE) with our office today. Take care of your gums and teeth and they will take care of you.