Smoking Reduces Healthy Bacteria & Increases Dental Diseases

Here's yet another reason not to smoke...

We all have large amounts of bacteria in our saliva, most of them good and helpful.  They help to begin the digestion of our food.  Some are helpful in warding off infection by viruses and other bacteria.  Others are not so desirable, like the ones that produce cavities and gum disease.

Studies demonstrate that smokers have fewer of the helpful bacteria, allowing the damaging bacteria to grow in larger numbers.  This increases the disease potential in the mouths of smokers.

Also remember, second hand smoke is just as bad as primary smoking.  Don’t smoke indoors where other non-smokers (like your children) will be forced to breath the second hand smoke.

Cigarettes by Anna Langova