Dental Caries
Dental caries is an irreversible microbial disease of the calcified tissue characterised by demineralization of the inorganic portion and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth which often leads to cavitations.
Smoking and its relation to dental caries is a subject of controversy. Early reports in literature indicated that smoking actually helped reducing dental caries (9,10,11). Schmidt, in 1951, supported this belief when he reported that increase in tobacco smoking was followed by a decrease in dental caries rate (12). The concentration of thiocyanate, a constituent of tobacco smoke has possible caries-inhibiting effect, and was found to be higher in smoker’s saliva concludingly predicted that smoking had inhibitory effect
Smoking and its relation to dental caries is a subject of controversy. Early reports in literature indicated that smoking actually helped reducing dental caries (9,10,11). Schmidt, in 1951, supported this belief when he reported that increase in tobacco smoking was followed by a decrease in dental caries rate (12). The concentration of thiocyanate, a constituent of tobacco smoke has possible caries-inhibiting effect, and was found to be higher in smoker’s saliva concludingly predicted that smoking had inhibitory effect