Study suggests smoke exposure could affect tooth strength

Study suggests smoke exposure could affect tooth strengthExposure to secondhand cigarette smoke during the earliest stages of life may affect the mineral development of teeth, according to new research from scientists at the University of São Paulo in Brazil. The study found that young rats exposed to cigarette smoke developed microscopic and chemical changes in their tooth enamel, despite no visible differences being detected by the naked eye. Researchers from the Ribeirão Preto School of Dentistry at the University of São Paulo investigated how early-life exposure to cigarette smoke could influence enamel formation. The animals were placed in a controlled chamber to ensure researchers could isolate the effects of cigarette smoke. Further studies are underway to examine whether longer or heavier exposure produces more severe enamel changes.