February 9, 2012   Smokers not only have more problems with their teeth than smokers; they also go to the dentist less often, according to findings of a new government survey released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than a third of smokers reported having three or more dental problems, ranging from stained teeth to jaw pain, toothaches, or infected gums. That was more than twice as much as people who never smoked. Yet, 20 percent of the smokers said they had not been to the dentist in at least five years compared to only 10 percent of non-smokers and former smokers. Half of the smokers said they could not afford to see a dentist, a much higher proportion than non-smoking adults who didn’t go. Tobacco use can lead to poorer dental health by impairing the body’s ability to fight off infections in the mouth and has also been associated with oral cancer.

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http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/02/08/cdc-fewer-smokers-go-to-dentist/