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BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Individuals who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of losing their teeth than non-smokers, found new research published in the Journal of Dental Research.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham and the German Institute of Human Nutrition observed 23,376 participants in a long-term longitudinal study.
Male smokers were found 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than non-smokers, while female smokers were 2.6 times more likely, the study said.
Thomas Dietrich, a professor at the University of Birmingham, explained that smoking can hide the effects of gum disease as people often don't see the problem until it is too serious.
Quitting smoking can reduce the risk fairly quickly, Thomas Dietrich added.
(Agencies)
