“EVALUATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS AMONG SMOKERS AND GUTKHA CHEWERS ABOUT PERIODONTAL HEALTH: A QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY”

Abstract

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of tooth-supporting structures caused mainly by specific microorganisms or groups of specific microorganisms present in dental plaque. Although periodontal diseases are caused by dental plaque, their severity depends on severalriskfactors.Useoftobaccoincreasesrisk,pathogenesisandexacerbationofperiodontal disease by a combination of several mechanisms: Decreased gingival perfusion, immune response suppression, suppression of the periodontium’s morphological and functional recovery and increased infectivity of oral microbiota.