The American Academy of Periodontology warns periodontal (gum) disease is a public health epidemic that affects 47.2% of American adults over the age of 30. They warn the use of tobacco plays a major role in the dominance and severity of gum disease and tooth loss that is affecting the public’s dental health. They urge dentists to educate their patients about negative impacts of tobacco use on dental health as a part of the armamentarium of their dental office.