Short-term investigation on the influence of cigarette smoking upon plaque accumulation

The influence of cigarette smoking on plaque accumulation was studied in young adult males who endeavoured to stop smoking. Plaque accumulation was evaluated photogrammetrically during a 5-d smoking period and, after an interval of at least 30 d, during a non-smoking period of the same length. It was found that the amount of plaque was comparatively larger and plaque accumulation rate consequently increased in smokers throughout the smoking period. The differences were small, however, and not statistically significant. The result substantiates the view that cigarette smoking has no antibacterial potency so as to reduce plaque formation on tooth surfaces.