Smoking is an extraordinarily difficult habit to break, but it’s worth it to do so. In addition to causing detrimental effects to your physical and mental health, smoking tobacco can also have adverse effects on your oral health. The more you smoke, the further impact it has on the appearance and structure and health of your teeth and gums. The best gift you can give to your oral health and overall well-being is to stop smoking.
Whether you’re on your journey to quitting or haven’t started yet, it’s important to be aware of the impact smoking is having on your teeth and how beneficial quitting is to your oral health.
1. Causes Plaque and Tartar
The chemicals found in tobacco products negatively affect saliva flow cousin the mouth to become dry. Limiting saliva flow makes it far easier for bacteria to develop in the mouth and stick to the gums and teeth. If filmy plaque is not removed daily, tartar can begin to develop, which can only be removed by a professional Newmarket dentist due to how strong it is. Tobacco smokers are about three to six times more susceptible to developing gum or periodontal disease in their mouths. Tobacco chemicals also irritate the gum tissue, which can cause the gums to loosen and allow bacteria to settle in and tooth decay to form.
2. Affects Normal Blood Circulation
Smoking can negatively affect the normal blood circulation and function of the gum tissues. Restricting blood flow can delay the healing time as well after any gum disease treatments, which can be increasingly painful when brushing or flossing. Smokers may be more likely to bleed easily and far more when completing routine oral health care.
3. Causes Oral Cancer
Arguably the most serious and daunting of all the ways smoking impacts oral health is that it can cause oral cancer. According to WebMD, 90% of those diagnosed with oral cancer or cancer in the throat or lips have used tobacco. Unfortunately, smokers are about six times more likely to develop oral cancers or cancer in the mouth than those that do not smoke.
4. Leads To Bad Breath and Discolouration
Unfortunately, regardless of how much smokers floss and brush, smoking can still cause bad breath and staining of the teeth. The tooth will yellow or become discoloured, which may require dental fillings and can negatively impact one’s confidence. Smokers can develop what’s known as a “coated tongue,” which is an oral health condition where a layer of bacteria, debris and food particles in the mouth form and cause unpleasant bad breath.
Dentistry In Newmarket offers comprehensive, professional and friendly oral health care and education for each patient. We are committed to helping you enhance your smile and maintain optimal oral health. Our skilled family dentist in Newmarket will teach you about the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay on your journey to quitting smoking.
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