Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Methods to Evaluate Cytotoxicity and Immunosuppression of Combustible Tobacco Product Preparations
Published on: January 10, 2015
The Effect of Tobacco Smoking on Tooth Loss: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ziqi Chen1, Gagandeep Kaur1,2,3, Nadia Kaunein1,4
1Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Aims:
This systematic review aims to examine the causal effect of tobacco smoking on tooth loss. Further, the impact of different frequencies, intensities and lifetime exposures to tobacco smoking on tooth loss and whether the relationship differs by socioeconomic status (SES) are reviewed in the sub-group analysis.
Methods:
An electronic search was conducted in Embase (Ovid), Ovid MEDLINE and Web of Science for studies published up to May 2025. No limits on publication dates were applied. This review included case-control and cohort studies that reported the effect of tobacco smoking on tooth loss. Risk of Bias of included studies was assessed by ROBINS-E assessment tool.
Results:
A total of 30 studies were included in this systematic review. The meta-analysis from five studies indicated that current smokers have 1.41 times higher risk of tooth loss (RR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.24-1.60) than nonsmokers (sample size range: 273-34,975, n = 5). Past smoking also increases the risk of having tooth loss (RR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07-1.37) (sample size range: 547-34,975, n = 2). None of the studies examined the effect of smoking on tooth loss by different SES.
Conclusions:
This systematic review highlights the importance and urgency of quitting smoking for better oral health.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Observational Studies
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Criteria for Causality: Bradford Hill Criteria - II

