Scientists closer to finding out why there’s no smoke without a fire

Scientists closer to finding out why there’s no smoke without a fire
We all know that smoking is bad for your general health, and in recent years, we’ve learnt that it’s especially bad for your oral health. Dentists and scientists have long observed that chronic gum disease (periodontitis) is more common in smokers, but now they’re one step closer to understanding why.

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Microbiology, found that the bacteria that causes chronic periodontitis responds to and is transformed by smoke.

Smoke changes the DNA of the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis, thereby affecting how the immune system recognises the bacterium. 

The study alleges that this may be the reason that periodontitis in smokers is often resistant to treatment. 



14 May 2009

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