The influence of cigarette smoking on the development of experimental gingivitis

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Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of cigarette smoking on the development of gingivitis. Experimental gingivitis was induced in the mandibular anterior region by abstention from oral hygiene for 28 days. The study group consisted of 20 healthy dental students, 10 of whom were regular smokers. The clinical parameters studied were gingival bleeding on probing (60 g), gingival redness and gingival exudate. The results showed that the plaque formation rate was similar in both groups. However, smokers displayed a less pronounced gingival inflammatory reaction as compared with non‐smokers. Concerning gingival bleeding and gingival redness, the reaction in smokers was significantly less elevated from d 14 through d 28 and concerning the amount of gingival exudate it was significantly less elevated from d 21 through d 28. The differences between groups tended to increase with time. These results suggest that the inflammatory gingival response to accumulating plaque may be suppressed under the influence of cigarette smoking.