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CNN Live At Daybreak

Smoking May Promote More Time in Dentist's Chair

Aired March 12, 2003 - 06:26   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A new study says smoking may promote more time in the dentist's chair.
Our medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We all know that smoking isn't good for the lungs. But a new study shows it's also not good for kids' teeth. The study looked at kids ages four to 11 who were exposed to secondhand smoke.

Let's take a look at the results. The study shows that these kids were twice as likely to have cavities in their baby teeth if they were exposed to secondhand smoke. And if that's not reason enough to quit smoking, secondhand smoke also contributes to respiratory tract infections, SIDS, ear infections, asthma and childhood cancers and leukemia. Dentists think that the nicotine in the smoke promotes the growth of bacteria in the teeth.

Now, some people might say why does it matter if kids get cavities in their baby teeth since baby teeth fall out anyways? And the answer is that cavities in baby teeth can lead to speech problems. They can lead to eating problems. They can also lead to gum decay.

So the bottom line here is don't smoke around kids, it can hurt their lungs and it can hurt their teeth -- back to you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Whoa, that's seriously enlightening.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired March 12, 2003 - 06:26   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A new study says smoking may promote more time in the dentist's chair.
Our medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We all know that smoking isn't good for the lungs. But a new study shows it's also not good for kids' teeth. The study looked at kids ages four to 11 who were exposed to secondhand smoke.

Let's take a look at the results. The study shows that these kids were twice as likely to have cavities in their baby teeth if they were exposed to secondhand smoke. And if that's not reason enough to quit smoking, secondhand smoke also contributes to respiratory tract infections, SIDS, ear infections, asthma and childhood cancers and leukemia. Dentists think that the nicotine in the smoke promotes the growth of bacteria in the teeth.

Now, some people might say why does it matter if kids get cavities in their baby teeth since baby teeth fall out anyways? And the answer is that cavities in baby teeth can lead to speech problems. They can lead to eating problems. They can also lead to gum decay.

So the bottom line here is don't smoke around kids, it can hurt their lungs and it can hurt their teeth -- back to you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Whoa, that's seriously enlightening.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com