Tobacco cessation is an incredibly complex topic for dental professionals. In the most recent years, the focus on tobacco transitioned into the focus of marijuana and e-vape use. This transition quickly suppressed the topic, making it more and more difficult to have this conversation in a clinical setting with fellow colleagues and patients. As dental … Read more
A new study from Aarthus University explored the effect of smoking on the results of treatment for different levels of periodontitis. The research revealed that heavy smokers with severe periodontitis got no benefit from the treatment, “while heavy smokers with moderate periodontitis only had a 50 percent effect from the treatment.” In some cases, the … Read more
Since they hit the market, e-cigarettes have been touted as a safe alternative to tobacco cigarettes for adult smokers. When research began to suggest otherwise, many questioned whether smoking was still to blame for adverse effects, since most vapers are either “dual users” who also smoke cigarettes or have a prior history of smoking. Now, … Read more
About half of dentists offer smoking cessation counseling or treatment to their patients, according to an ADA Clinical Evaluators Panel report published in the October issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association. The report, which includes the responses of 283 ACE Panel member dentists, found 41% of respondents offer counseling only, 8% offer both counseling … Read more
When it comes to your health and the potential dangers of vaping, you probably think you’ve heard it all. New York periodontist Scott Froum, D.D.S., did too — including the possibility of e-cigarettes exploding in someone’s face. But then Froum started noticing a troubling trend among his patients. Two stories stuck out to him. The first involves a young man … Read more
As if lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease weren’t enough, there’s more bad news for cigarette smokers. Researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine found that smoking also weakens the ability for pulp in teeth to fight illness and disease. In other words, smokers have fewer defense mechanisms on the inside … Read more
Research shows that smoking can damage every part of the body, including the mouth, causing life-threatening cancers and chronic diseases. During National Non-Smoking Week (January 15‒21), dental hygienists across Canada remind us all of the need to eliminate tobacco use for better oral and overall health. Dental hygienists are skilled in health promotion, disease detection, … Read more
As healthcare reforms promote more preventive care and associated healthy-seeking behaviour, some controversies emerge. I notice, for example, that American employers in their efforts to control healthcare costs, are taking a look at the extra-burden of an employee who smokes. One study shows that this behaviour imposes an additional $5,800 per year on the employer … Read more