How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health

Smoking of tobacco products can have a lasting effect on your health. Various health complications and fatal diseases can be caused by smoking. People nowadays know of the harm that can be caused by smoking tobacco products unlike 20 years ago.

Lots of studies have been conducted and evidence produced that show how smoking affects oral health. Smoking can be very harmful to your oral health. There are minor side effects as well as serious complications that can arise from smoking.

So, before you head out to grab a pack of cigarettes, here are some facts for you to consider:

1. Tooth Loss Risk

Smokers are more prone to gum disease. This means that they also have a higher likelihood of losing their teeth. Infections spread between the teeth and gums once your periodontal disease advances. You start to experience gum tissue irritation. Blood flow reduces in your gums. When this occurs, teeth get pulled away from the gum tissue.

Smoking restricts the flow of oxygen in your bloodstream. This makes it harder for gums to heal. Early treatment of this condition is important. If this isn’t done, the reversal of the gum recession won’t be possible. You may eventually end up losing your teeth.

Orthodontic treatment is required to help straighten your teeth. You need to seek professional help to deal with this condition. This can help salvage your teeth. Your dentist may prescribe braces for you.

2. Jaw Bone Loss

Advanced periodontal disease can be caused by smoking tobacco products. Your chances of jaw bone loss significantly increase when the bacterial infection that reaches the jaw bone. Losing your jaw bone limits your restorative options. If your jaw bone deterioration is high, there may be a slim chance for restorative options such as implants and dental bridges. It may be impossible for these procedures to be done if the loss of jaw bone is extensive.

3. Stained Teeth And Bad Breath

Tobacco contains both nicotine and tar. These substances turn your teeth yellow with a short period. Nicotine is absorbed thereby causing discoloration. Regular smoking can cause nicotine-stained teeth. Smoking also leads to foul breath.

4. Gum Disease Risks

Harmful bacteria within the mouth are responsible for gum disease. They turn into plaque that causes gum disease. When plaque builds up, it hardens to form tartar. The teeth and gums of smokers contain more plaque than those of non-smokers. Remember, gum disease can lead to other oral complications.

5. Loss Of Smell And Taste

You can experience dull senses due to smoking. Your ability to taste foods diminishes if you smoke regularly. You aren’t able to feel the food’s flavor as you used to before. Smoking also affects your sense of smell. You can’t fully appreciate the smell of what you consume if you are a smoker.

6. Weakened Immune System

Smokers generally have a weakened immune system. A weakened immune system gives your body a harder time when fighting infections. You may end up feeling the pinch of gum infection and disease since your immune system is severely weakened to fight the infection off.

7. Interferes The Mouth’s Healing Ability

The growth of blood vessels and the flow of blood is affected by smoking. Healing processes after injury or surgery can be affected by smoking habits. Inadequate oxygen is supplied to the mouth since blood is restricted.

8. Increased Risk Of Cancer

Almost all people with cancer of the mouth, throat, lips, and tongue are current or former smokers. The frequency and amount of tobacco use increase the risk of oral cancer development. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer as compared to non-smokers.

Don’t forget that other body organs can be affected by advanced oral cancer. It easily spreads and develops in other body organs. All forms of tobacco use including cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and bidis can cause cancer. Even smokeless tobacco such as snuff and chewing tobacco products are linked to cancer.

If you are worried about how smoking affects your oral health, you have every right to be. You need to schedule regular appointments with your dentist for professional teeth cleanings. Abrasive toothpaste can help you deal with your stains. Mouthwashes are a short-term solution for bad breath. You can decrease your risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth loss by avoiding high-risk behaviors such as smoking tobacco products.