Practice abstract
British Dental Journal 189, 200 - 206 (2000)
Published online: 26 August 2000 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4800721
Tobacco Intervention:
Tobacco and oral disease
The EU-Working Group on Tobacco and Oral Health found:
- Smoking often results in discolourations of teeth and dental restorations.
- Halitosis, diminished taste and smell acuity are common side effects of smoking.
- Periodontal disease is increased both in prevalence and severity in smokers. Smoking cessation may halt disease progression and improve the outcome of periodontal treatment.
- Oral cancer and precancer occurs much more frequently in smokers than in non-smokers. Smoking cessation significantly decreases the increased risk of oral cancer within 5–10 years.
- Dental implant failure rates are significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers.
- The entire dental team should be aware of the relationship between smoking and dental problems and should convey the message that non-smoking is the norm.
- Smoking counselling should be a fundamental part of the dental curriculum and any practice prevention programme.
Abstract
This document was produced by the 'EU-Working Group† on Tobacco and Oral Health' supported by the EU Commission (the 'Europe Against Cancer' programme).
- Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Medicine & Pathology, WHO Collaborating Centre for Oral Cancer & Precancer, The Guy's, King's & St Thomas' Schools of Medicine, Dentistry & Biomedical Sciences, King's Dental Institute, Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW;
- University of Glasgow
Correspondence to: N W Johnson1 e-mail: newell.johnson@kcl.ac.uk