It should not be a secret to anyone these days that smoking is just plain bad news for our bodies. Not only can smoking tobacco lead to severe health issues such as lung disease and cancer, it can also take its toll in our mouths and on our teeth. How smoking hurts our oral health may not be a major consideration for those who smoke, but it should be.
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Every thing that we take into our bodies, such as food, drink and even smoke from a cigarette or pipe, passes through our mouths first. So it should not be surprising to anyone that all of those things can and do play a major role in oral health.
Gum Disease
Those who smoke are contributing in two major ways to gum disease. First, the smoking creates more bacterial plaque in the mouth, which is attacking the enamel on our teeth and causing decay and damage in our gums. Secondly, smokers have much lower levels of oxygen in their blood compared to non-smokers. This lack of oxygen in the blood slows the healing process when gums do become infected.
Cavities
It is estimated that if you smoke, you are putting your mouth at risk for up to three times as many cavities as you would have if you did not smoke. The increase in bacteria and plaque make tooth decay and cavities much more prevalent in the mouth of a smoker.
Yellow and Stained Teeth
Over time, yellow stains begin to develop on the teeth of those who smoke. This is a result of coming in contact with the tar and nicotine found in cigarettes. What makes things worse is that the stains may begin to seep into the tiny cracks found in tooth enamel leading to permanent stains that cannot be removed even with some of the more advanced whitening products on the market today.
Bad Breath
Perhaps the most noticeable and distinct oral health issue caused by smoking, bad breath is just a given for those who smoke. Every time a person inhales from a cigarette, 4000 chemicals make their way through oral cavities sticking to the surfaces of the mouth. Smoking also dries out a smoker’s mouth, leading to gum infection on top of bad breath.
The truth is, the longer you smoke, the bigger the issues become. This is especially true with oral health. The sooner you are able to get a handle on the habit by controlling it or quitting, the more likely you are to avoid long-term oral health issues.
We often see patients at Smile Concepts who either smoke currently or have smoked in the past. It really is remarkable to see how much more problems these people face in the long run. Still, there are treatments we offer that can help to fix these issues. Give us a call at 480-951-2800 to learn more.
