subject: Healthy Smile and Smoking [print this page] Smoking also worsens tooth decay and periodontal disease. Periodontal disease occurs when the tooth exhibits bone loss around the gum. This creates a pocket around the tooth where bacteria can eat away at the tooth even more. Eventually, this can lead to heart disease. I know, you're asking yourself, "heart disease, how?". Well, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream around the tooth. Once in the bloodstream, it can go pretty much anywhere. It has been known to end up in the heart tissue and/or on the heart valves, and don't think for a minute that the risk is a remote one. As I said, dental science is becoming ever stronger and much more compelling.
