Eva M Roberts RDH CIV45ADOS/SGGD

March 2008

Tobacco and Oral HealthTobacco and Oral Health

This Briefing is UNCLASSIFIED

45th Space Wing

Smoking Facts

• Smoking-related diseases claim an estimated

438,000 (1,200 people each day) American lives each year. It is directly responsible for 87 percent of lung cancer cases and causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

More Smoking Facts • Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause

cancer. Smoking is directly responsible for approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and approximately 80-90 percent of COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis) deaths.

• Nicotine is an addictive drug, which when inhaled in cigarette smoke reaches the brain faster than drugs that enter the body intravenously. Smokers not only become physically addicted to nicotine; they also link smoking with many social activities, making smoking a difficult habit to break.

• Tobacco is the second major cause of preventable death in the world. Tobacco kills more than AIDS, legal drugs, illegal drugs, road accidents, murder, and suicide combined. It is currently responsible for approximately 5 million deaths each year.

• Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) which are known causes of human cancer. It also increases the risk of developing oral cancer compared to cigarette smoking.

• For more information on tobacco, please review the Tobacco Morbidity and Mortality Trend Report in the  Data and Statistics section of our website or call the American Lung Association at 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872).

TOBACCO

• Linked to many serious diseases– Cancer– Heart disease– Lung disease– Low birth weight in

infants

• Produces harmful effects in the mouth

COMMON ORAL EFFECTS

• Periodontal Disease

• Bad breath

• Decreased ability to taste and smell

• Reduces wound healing

• Discolors teeth and restorations

Another example of the ravages of smoking. This extreme case shows the combination of smoking, poor diet, lack of sleep and stress…. Ouch!

The combination of tobacco and alcohol significantly increases the risk of cancer. The red swelling with central blackened ulceration of left posterior soft palate was cancer.

OTHER ORAL EFFECTS

ANUG

Nicotinic stomatitis

Thrush

PERIODONTAL DISEASE

• Tobacco increases risk (2.5-6 times greater)

• Smokers have more calculus, greater bone loss, deeper gum pockets, more gum attachment loss

• Tobacco users have 67% greater tooth loss

• Smoking adversely affects outcomes of periodontal treatment

PERIODONTITIS

• Due to untreated gingivitis

• Gums pull away from teeth forming pockets

• Can destroy gums, and bone around teeth

• Can result in loose teeth requiring extraction

The only way to treat chronic abscesses and pain was to remove the affected teeth. Note where the tissue attached to the roots.

HOW DO I PREVENT GUM DISEASE?

• Visit the dentist routinely for an exam and professional cleaning

• Don’t use tobacco products

GUM DISEASE

• Higher risk for – Heart disease– Stroke– Respiratory disease– Diabetes– Preterm births (women)– Factor with osteoporosis

• Bacteria is transmissible

DENTAL IMPLANTS

• Tobacco is detrimental to success

ORAL PRECANCER/CANCER

• Tobacco increases risk of precancer tissue changes (6 times greater)

• Tobacco increases risk of oral cancer (2-4 times greater)

• Tobacco plus heavy drinking increases risk of oral cancer (6-15 times greater)

SMOKELESS TOBACCO

• Induces precancer tissue changes

QUESTIONS???