Effect of tobacco‐ smoking on periodontal tissue of 15‐year‐old schoolchildren

193 schoolchildren 15 years of age were grouped as non‐smokers and smokers on the basis of their smoking habits. In all cases an X‐ray examination was made of the lower incisors, and a record was made of plaque and gingival index. The resulting values were compared between non‐smokers and smokers. The following conclusions could be drawn. Oral hygiene and gingival inflammation are directly correlated. Oral hygiene is worse in smokers than in non‐smokers. The gingival status is worse in smokers than in non‐smokers. When investigating gingival status on the same level of oral hygiene, no significant difference is found between the groups.