Everybody is aware of the fact that smoking is injurious to health. But, did you know that it has adverse effects on your teeth and oral health as well? Studies have revealed that people who smoke are most likely to suffer from gum diseases than those who don’t. Also, smoking on a regular basis can worsen gum diseases if you are already suffering from it. In this article, we’ll explore the connection between smoking and oral health by deciphering how smoking affects your mouth.
How does smoking affect your mouth?
Smoking can lead to various oral health complications such as bad breath, tooth discoloration , and even diminishes the sense of taste. Furthermore, smoking weakens the immune system, reduces the ability to recover from injury and increases the risk of periodontal diseases that in turn leads to tooth loss.
Smoking causes discoloration of teeth due to the presence of nicotine and tar in tobacco that makes your teeth look yellow. People who smoke frequently complain that the color of their teeth turns brown due to prolonged smoking.
Smoking can adversely affect your gums too. If your gums are already infected smoking makes it worse. Due to smoking, the level of oxygen in your bloodstream reduces and that interferes with the healing process.
Other oral health complications due to smoking are:
- Increased risk of oral cancer
- A lower success rate of dental implants
- Increased risk of leukoplakia
- Loss of jaw bone
- An increased buildup of plaque and tartar
How should you maintain your oral health if you smoke?
People who smoke are advised to use toothpastes that are designed to improve the appearance of their teeth. These toothpaste are abrasive than the ordinary toothpaste and hence should be used with proper care. There are many whitening toothpastes available in the market that helps remove stains from your teeth.
Smokers are likely to have a severe issue of bad breath as compared to non-smokers. So, to mitigate the problem of bad breath, you can consider fresh breath products or mouthwash. However, bad breath can also be a sign of an underlying dental issue. Mouthwash will only prevent bad breath, but not treat the dental problem. Therefore, you must consult a dentist if bad breath persists for a long time.
Apart from maintaining oral hygiene on a personal level, regular dental checkups are a must. Routine dental examination helps to spot dental problems before it becomes serious. People who smoke more often are at a higher risk of various dental complications. If neglected it may become worse and possess a danger to life. Besides regular visits to a dental clinic, get in touch with some self-help groups or try on their own to get rid of their habit of smoking.
If you are one of those people who smoke frequently and are experiencing various dental health complications, our team at Signature Smilez can help you. Book an appointment today.