[Tobacco, snuff and oral health]

Duodecim. 2015;131(21):1975-80.
[Article in Finnish]

Abstract

Smoking is estimated to cause 6.3 million deaths annually worldwide. The use of snuff, differing from smoking, has significantly increased especially among the adolescents. Snuff powder contains 20-fold more nicotine compared to cigarettes, leading to strong nicotine addiction. In addition to cancer development, both smoking and snuff use exert other risks for oral health. Compared with non-smokers, smokers are at a 10-fold risk for the development and progression of periodontal diseases. Snuff causes oral mucosal changes, gingival recessions and root surface caries. Smoking induces systemic low-grade inflammation, which weakens defensive immune responses in oral mucosa, gingiva, gingival crevicular fluid and saliva.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Mouth Diseases / etiology*
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Smoking / mortality*
  • Tobacco, Smokeless / adverse effects*