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| :: Smokers tardy on dental visits :: |
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Even though they are at a much higher risk for oral disease and decay, smokers go to the dentist at a less frequent rate than nonsmokers, according to a new study.
A poll of 15,000 Americans, found that while 45 percent of nonsmokers visited the dentist at least once per year, only 33 percent of smokers reported an annual visit.
Some believe that the discrepancies in rates between the two groups are caused by socioeconomic differences, as it was hypothesized that smokers do not have the financial means to obtain dental insurance.
Yet others maintain that the problem is rooted in the smoker's outlook on their own health, as the fact that they have chosen to smoke in the first place indicates that their health is not on as high a priority as non-smokers. Because of this, they place a similar emphasis on their dental health.
Studies have shown that smokers have an increased risk for the development of oral cancers, tooth decay, and gum disease.
"It has been known for years that smokers have less resistance to periodontal disease and their healing response makes treatment difficult. For these same reasons, smoking is the number one contra-indication for implant placement as an option for replacing missing teeth" says Dr. Kavin Kelp, DDS of the myDNA Medical Advisory Board.
He continues, "Smokers are the group of dental patients that would be better served by having three preventive dental visits per year. This study brings to light that behavioral modification is needed to help this group to avoid tooth loss and oral cancer."
Susan K. Drilea, lead author of the study, maintains that while dentists have the evidence to support the theory that smokers are not as vigilant about their dental health as they should be, more research needs to be conducted in order to ascertain the cause of the problem.
"Determining whether this is a matter of personal choice, a lack of awareness, a financial issue, or whether there are obstacles as part of the dental visit itself."
The study's findings are published in the latest issue of The American Journal of Behavior.
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myDNA's Dental Health Center : http://www.mydna.com/health/oral |
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