Smoking and dental issues

Smoking and tobacco are bad for your body and for your oral health. Smoking can cause a lot of medical problems and it does a lot of damage to our teeth and gums.

Tobacco products can lead to teeth staining, gum disease, teeth loss and in more severe cases mouth cancer. Let’s see together what other problems may cause.

Other oral health problems caused by smoking:

• Increased build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth.

• Increased loss of bone within the jaw.

• Increased risk of developing gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss.

• Slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery.

• Difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental procedures. 

• Lower success rate of dental implant procedures. Smokers should know they have an increased risk that the procedure will fail. This is why before getting implants, it is very important to quit smoking.
• The risk of developing oral cancer increases.

About stained teeth

One of the side effects of smoking is the staining of the teeth due to the nicotine and tar in the tobacco. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short time. Heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking.

The best thing you can do for your teeth, mouth and your general health is to quit smoking. It is a long and difficult process because the nicotine in cigarettes and cigars is very addictive. That is why it important to have a plan and a support network, people to help you stick with your plan. They may be able to offer you resources and even medication to help. When you quit smoking, you will be at less risk from gum disease, stained teeth and cancer. And you will also be happier and healthier and you will have a good reason to smile.

Smoking and oral cancer

The American Cancer Society reports that about 90% of people with mouth cancer and some types of throat cancer have used tobacco. Smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop these cancers.

Are there special products I can use for my oral health if I am a smoker?

The answer is yes, there are. There are special toothpastes for people who smoke, which are a little more abrasive than the ordinary ones. Your dentist may recommend you to use these special toothpastes alternately to your usual toothpaste. There are also several whitening toothpastes available. They may be effective at removing staining.  And will improve the overall appearance of your teeth.

What can a dentist do for you?

Your dentist will do a regular check up to make sure that your teeth, gums and your whole mouth are healthy. He will also examine your cheeks, tongue and throat for any signs of other conditions that may need more investigation. And your dentist will be able to put you in touch with organizations that may help you quit smoking.

Conclusion

As you can see, smokers will develop a lot of oral health problems during the years. And some of them are extremely serious and can affect your overall health too.

People who smoke have to pay more attention at their dental care. Regular visits to their dentists should be also taken into account.

If you need additional information related to this topic, call Premier Smiles. 610.647.7611 is our phone number. Dr. Arhiri will be more than happy to help you.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/smoking-oral-health#1

https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/sundry/smoking-and-oral-health

http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/basics/threats-to-dental-health/article/smoking-a-danger-to-healthy-gums

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/s/smoking-and-tobacco

http://www.dentalhealth.ie/dentalhealth/causes/smoking.html

http://www.dentalassociates.com/dental-education/tobacco-and-oral-health/