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Jansson L, Lavstedt S J Clin Periodontol 2002; 29: 750–756

In 1990 in Stockholm, bone and tooth loss was assessed in 507 dentate individuals previously examined in a larger study 20 years earlier. In 1970, 50% were non-smokers, and this rose to 70% in 1990 Many who still smoked had reduced the quantity of cigarettes.

Individuals with unchanged smoking and non-smoking habits showed a significant association between the level of exposure and marginal bone loss. Plaque was a confounding factor in this study, as smokers scored higher, but when taken into account, the association still held. Tooth loss was not significantly related to smoking overall, but those who had greater bone loss at the start of the study were at greater risk of tooth loss.