Why are smokers more susceptible to periodontal disease?

Smokers are more susceptible to periodontal disease primarily due to impaired host response mechanisms. Smoking affects the immune system in several ways, leading to a diminished response to periodontal pathogens. It can alter the normal inflammatory response, reduce blood flow to the gums, and decrease the function of immune cells, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, including those that contribute to periodontal disease.

This impaired host response not only allows for an increase in bacterial accumulation but also hinders the body's ability to heal and recover from periodontal inflammation. As a result, smokers are at a greater risk for developing periodontal diseases compared to non-smokers, who retain a more robust immune response.

The other options do not accurately reflect the reasons smokers are more susceptible. Lower levels of bacterial pathogens, for example, contradicts the reality that smoking tends to promote a more pathogenic microbial environment. While there can be a higher presence of certain periodontal pathogens in smokers, the key factor is the body's inability to effectively respond to those pathogens due to compromised immune functionality, rather than just the presence of bacteria. Lastly, increased levels of salivary antibodies would typically indicate a stronger immune response, which is not the case for smokers. Therefore, the impaired host response is central to the increased risk