Smoking Major Risk Factor for Periodontal Disease

Hillary
Does Blenko plan to make ashtrays in the near future? We are starting a collection, of ash tray and cigarette cigar lighters from American makers, not pressed but hand blown.
In my last visit to Blenko Glass, I noticed a good number of men smoking tobacco. Is this common amongst glassblowers? Does Blenko have any tobacco free zones?
I also noticed the restaurant workers and hotel workers seem to have bad teeth. Is there no state wide education program in your state?
Geog D.
Geog,
Blenko no longer makes ash trays or cigarette lighters. Now to address your other comments:
Mr. WH Blenko encourages all employees to live and enjoy a tobacco free life.
You neglected to say how much you enjoyed your visit to our State, I hope your hotel and restaurant were satisfactory. My friend Kathy Elkins from WV Health Dept states, "WV has the 3rd highest number of smokers'. Geog your observation was good. We (State of WV) are trying to improve.
http://www.wvdtp.org/ has implemented a very successful Stop Smoking program.
Delta Dental http://www.deltadental.com/
(WV primary dental insurance carrier ) had the following to say about Tobacco use in West Virginia.
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for periodontal disease. A smoker's risk of developing periodontal disease is increased anywhere from 2 to 10 percent, depending on the amount that person smokes.
 A person’s genetics can amplify or reduce the severity of periodontal disease. High production levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) – which indicate that people may be more susceptible to severe periodontal disease – run in families. A genetic test now can determine if a person has this genetic marker, and this knowledge could provide further information about a patient's prognosis.
 Eighteen percent of all pre-term, low-birth-weight births may be attributable to periodontal disease.
 People with severe periodontal disease may be twice as likely to have the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries as those with good oral health.
 People with severe periodontitis may be more than six times as likely to have poor glycemic control as those without periodontal disease.
 Decreased bone mineral density and osteoporosis appear to be related to tooth loss. Hormone replacement there
The Public Health Corp website states: http://www.usphs.gov/
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for periodontal disease. A smoker's risk of developing periodontal disease is increased anywhere from 2 to 10 percent, depending on the amount that person smokes.
 A person’s genetics can amplify or reduce the severity of periodontal disease. High production levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) – which indicate that people may be more susceptible to severe periodontal disease – run in families. A genetic test now can determine if a person has this genetic marker, and this knowledge could provide further information about a patient's prognosis.
 Eighteen percent of all pre-term, low-birth-weight births may be attributable to periodontal disease.
 People with severe periodontal disease may be twice as likely to have the type of stroke caused by blocked arteries as those with good oral health.
 People with severe periodontitis may be more than six times as likely to have poor glycemic control as those without periodontal disease.
 Decreased bone mineral density and osteoporosis appear to be related to tooth loss.
Geog
We know there is a problem. Its a national problem.
Thank you for the opportunity to bring awareness to the need for a tobacco free WV and the need for affordable dental care for everyone.
Good Luck with your collection of ash trays and lighters.
HJH