The U.S. surgeon general's 50th anniversary review of tobacco science and research adds to the evidence of oral health problems from tobacco use while continuing to expand the list of associated health problems.
The 998-page report now includes newly added health issues, such as orofacial clefts in infants, according to an article from ADA News.
"The evidence is sufficient to infer a causal relationship between maternal smoking in early pregnancy and orofacial clefts," said Acting Surgeon General Dr. Boris Lushniak.
The report offers the following conclusions regarding dental disease based on recent research:
- The evidence is suggestive but not sufficient to infer a causal relationship between cigarette smoking and dental caries and in the failure of dental implants. Evidence suggests that smoking may compromise the prognosis for osseointegrated dental implants. Patients who use tobacco and are considering dental implants should be encouraged to stop.
- The evidence is suggestive but insufficient to infer a causal relationship between exposure to tobacco smoke and dental caries in children.
- Smoking is strongly associated with sociodemographic characteristics and a range of health behaviors in developed nations that are also associated with elevated risk for caries.
The report also warned about the dangers of smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes.
"The evidence is already sufficient to provide appropriately cautious messages to pregnant women and women of reproductive age, as well as adolescents, about the use of nicotine-containing products such as smokeless tobacco and electronic cigarettes, and newer forms of nicotine-containing products, as alternatives to smoking," the report noted.
The report concludes with calls for "dramatic action" to reduce tobacco use. "The current rate of progress in tobacco control is not fast enough," it states.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates tobacco products, said the agency "will continue to propose and implement tobacco products regulations to protect the nation's health."
