Smoking is a risk to oral health – all forms of tobacco are equally harmful

Smoking is one of the biggest threats to public health, killing more than eight million people yearly. Tobacco's nicotine is also a significant risk to oral health that makes it difficult to treat and detect serious gum diseases at their early stages.

All forms of tobacco are equally harmful to health, says Marja Juselius, an oral hygienist who has worked with young patients in Finland for many years. The No Tobacco Day, launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and celebrated annually on May 31, is an important reminder of this.

Nicotine addiction is a key reason people continue using nicotine products. This also puts oral health on constant alert and increases the risks of gingivitis, mucosal changes, and decay.