Second Hand Smoke and Teeth

Most of us already understand the many dangers of tobacco smoke and second-hand smoke , but did you know that exposing a child to cigarette smoke could delay development of their permanent teeth? That delay , which averages at least 4 months , significantly slows the dental process when permanent teeth begin to develop , usually between ages 3 and 6 . Dental research shows that the most significant delays in tooth development occur when both parents smoke. Children exposed to smoke from only their fathers also experience a high incidence of tooth formation delays. This could be an indicator that second- hand smoke can be more damaging to the developing teeth than direct exposure from a smoking mother . If you’re a smoker and can’t kick the habit , smoke only in a well-ventilated area separate from your children . Neither parent- especially the mother- should smoke during pregnancy. And all smokers should be considerate of non-smokers , keeping in mind that second-hand smoke can be very dangerous to those around you , especially pregnant mothers and their fetuses.