A 48-year-old male patient presents with red, swollen gums that bleed easily. He has a history of smoking a pack of cigarettes daily for the past 30 years. What are the potential causes and the next steps?
Given this patient's history of smoking and his symptoms, the most likely diagnosis is smoking-associated periodontitis. Smoking increases the risk for periodontal disease due to its effects on oral tissues and immune response. The next steps would involve professional cleaning, education on good oral hygiene practices, and strongly advising the patient to quit smoking. Further treatment may be needed depending on the severity of the disease, including scaling and root planing, antibiotics, or possibly surgical treatment.