The Hidden Truth: How Smoking Leaves Lasting Marks on Our Teeth

A study from Northumbria University reveals how smoking alters dental cementum, leaving enduring marks visible in ex-smokers. Examining teeth from various sources, researchers found cementum disruptions in smokers' teeth. The study provides valuable insights for forensic and historical investigations and cultural studies on tobacco use.

A recent study from Northumbria University has uncovered remarkable evidence on how smoking impacts dental structures long after the habit ceases. The research, published in the journal PLOS One, examines the hard tissues of teeth, focusing on cementum that covers the tooth root and forms annual rings akin to tree growth rings.

The study analyzed 88 teeth, sourced from dental extractions and archaeological remains, revealing disturbance in cementum rings among a significant portion of ex-smokers and current smokers. This phenomenon was rarely observed in non-smokers, highlighting 'tell-tale signs of smoking habits,' according to Associate Professor Edward Schwalbe, the study's lead author.

The findings offer a fresh perspective on historical and forensic investigations, potentially aiding in determining lifestyle habits and identifying individuals. The study also discovers thicker cementum in former smokers, suggesting that smoking cessation allows cementum to return to normal, forming stronger deposits over previously damaged rings.

(With inputs from agencies.)