The negative impact on general health of the population of the UK due to the widespread use of tobacco is well documented. In relation to the practice of oral surgery (OS) a tobacco habit can influence the delivery of care in a number of ways. This paper aims to document the oral disease processes and the negative outcomes of oral surgery procedures where a tobacco habit is considered a contributing factor. CPD/Clinical Relevance: The presence of a tobacco habit cannot only have a negative impact on various aspects of oral health but will also influence the consenting process when considering invasive procedures.

Gingival bleeding is most commonly due to plaque-related gingivitis. Haemostasis depends upon three phasesa vascular phase, a platelet phase and blood coagulation (clotting). Defects in any phase may lead to a bleeding tendency. Platelet defects are often quantitative (thrombocytopenia) and readily understood but there are also qualitative (thrombasthenia) defectsrelated to various platelet receptors. We report a rare case of gingival bleeding despite good oral health care the main complaint being that the patient was embarrassed by blood-stained lips interfering with social interaction. Clinical relevanceBleeding from the gingival margin can be a presenting sign of a systemic disorder.Oral Surgery 10 (2017) e77--e79.