Bleeding comparison in smokers vs. non-smokers — which group typically shows LESS bleeding on probing despite similar/worse periodontal disease?

Correct answer: A. Smokers (due to nicotine-induced vasoconstriction)

• A. Correct. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, decreasing blood flow and gingival bleeding response even in the presence of significant periodontal inflammation — this can mask the true severity of periodontitis in smokers.
• B. Non-smokers typically show a normal inflammatory bleeding response proportional to periodontal disease severity (i.e., MORE bleeding for a similar level of underlying disease, since vasoconstriction is not masking it).

Note: This vasoconstrictive effect can mask periodontitis severity in smokers — an important clinical pitfall.