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Hyperaemic response to cigarette smoking in healthy gingiva
Antonios Mavropoulos1, Harald Aars, Pål Brodin
1Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. antoniom@odont.uio.no
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|March 13, 2003
Summary
Cigarette smoking causes nervous-mediated vasoconstriction in healthy gums, though blood flow increases due to higher blood pressure. This may contribute to long-term gum disease.
Area of Science:
- Oral health research
- Vascular physiology
- Periodontal disease mechanisms
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for periodontal disease.
- The role of nicotine-induced vasoconstriction in gum disease pathogenesis is debated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if cigarette smoking causes vasoconstriction in healthy human gingiva.
- To test the hypothesis of nicotine-induced vasoconstriction as a mechanism in periodontal disease.
Main Methods:
- Laser Doppler flowmetry measured gingival blood flow in healthy smokers.
- Simultaneous recordings of skin blood flow, heart rate, and blood pressure were taken.
- Infraorbital nerve block anesthesia assessed nervous-mediated vascular responses.
Main Results:
- Gingival blood flow showed a modest increase, with decreased vascular conductance.
- Forehead blood flow responses mimicked the gingiva, while thumb showed strong vasoconstriction.
- Nerve block enhanced the hyperemic response in the gingiva.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoking induces nervous-mediated vasoconstriction in healthy gingiva, but it's less pronounced than in skin.
- Increased arterial perfusion pressure during smoking overrides vasoconstriction, leading to higher gingival blood flow.
- Repeated vasoconstrictive episodes may lead to gingival vascular dysfunction and periodontal disease.