Secondhand Smoke and Gum Disease

Its been clear for years that smokers have a higher risk of periodontal (gum ) disease but there's research showing secondhand smoke can also increase the risk .Researchers at the University of North Carolina - ChapalHill , using data that included 2,379 non-smokers ages 53-74 , have concluded that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke for a few hours each day can double a person's risk of severe periodontal disease . People exposed to secondhand smoke for 25 hours or less each week had a 29% increased chance and for those exposed more than 26 hours the odds were twice as high . In 2004 the U.S. surgeon general concluded that the scientific evidence was sufficient to infer a causal relationship between tobacco and periodontal disease . In 2006 , the surgeon general stated there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke .