SA: Smokers more likely to get severe gum disease

AAP General News (Australia)
08-03-1999
SA: Smokers more likely to get severe gum disease

The Australian Dental Association says smokers are more likely to develop severe gum
disease than non-smokers.

Association South Australian president KARIN ALEXANDER says the symptoms are also harder to
detect in smokers.

She says this means gum disease can go unnoticed until permanent damage is done, possibly
leading to loss of teeth.

And she says because gum disease is seldom painful, sufferers don't have an automatic
warning that something is wrong.

Speaking as part of Dental Health Week, Dr ALEXANDER says some specialists won't perform
gum surgery on smokers as results are usually poor, leaving spongy, ill-shaped gums.

AAP RTV scl/sn/wz/jn

KEYWORD: SMOKERS (ADELAIDE)

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