Effects of smoking on periodontal health: A review

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for several diseases, and recent evidenc e strongly suggests an adverse effect on periodontal health. Nevertheless, the nature of the relationship between smoking and periodontal disease is n ot clear. Smoking causes defects in neutrophil function, impairs inflammato ry and immune responses to periodontal pathogens, and exerts both systemic and local effects. Smoking is associated with an increased rate of periodon tal disease in terms of alveolar bone loss and attachment loss, as well .as pocket formation. Nicotine, the major component of cigarette smoke, may we aken host defenses to the bacterial invasion induced by plaque.