We already know the link between smoking and lung cancer is well known. There’s a close connection between smoking and cardio-pulmonary issues. It leads to coughing fits and worsening asthma symptoms. It’s also known that smoking causes emphysema and other chronic lung problems. The risks are well known to those who smoke.
Smoking has another side effect that doesn’t get as much attention. This side effect is the damage it causes to your teeth. This can limit blood flow to the mouth and foster bacteria inside. Furthermore, smoking may cause:
- foul breath
- prolong the healing process after oral surgery
- cause discoloration of the teeth
- raise your risk of getting oral cancer
What Are the Dangers of Smoking to Your Teeth?
Smoking damages far more than the enamel of your teeth when you smoke. In addition, financial concerns and smoking seem to exacerbate the detrimental effects of tobacco.
According to a study, more than half of smokers who have not seen a dentist in the past six months attribute this to their financial concerns.
What is the effect of smoking on your teeth?
Whenever you inhale toxins from cigarettes, your teeth contact them. The following symptoms may be associated with severe tooth decay:
- Teeth that are yellow or brown
- Gums that are bleeding
- Plaque that is hardened (calculus)
- Cavities in the teeth
The following side effects are more likely to occur as a result of smoking:
- Root canals are needed more often
- Tooth loss
- Enamel damage
Is Smoking Harmful to Your Gums?
There are several problems with tobacco’s effect on the gums, ranging from cosmetic to painful. Tobacco causes issues with the gums that range from cosmetic to downright painful. Tobacco consumption, including cigarettes and chewing tobacco, increases tartar buildup in the mouth. This lowers saliva production, essential for fighting bacteria. Smokers often experience problems with their gums, such as:
- Tenderness and redness
- Blood when brushing your teeth or flossing
- Loosening of teeth
- Pus oozing between teeth
- Pain when chewing
- Foul breath
- Looser fit for dentures
- Receding gum line
Gum Disease Prevention for Smokers
Smokers are eager to know if they can prevent gum disease. Of course, giving up smoking is the best way to fight gum disease. But it’s also essential to practice good oral hygiene like flossing daily and brushing after every meal. Perhaps the best way to head off future gum issues is to visit your dentist. Your dentist or hygienist can recognize the signs of periodontal disease and work to combat it.
In addition to smoking’s effects on teeth and gums, this habit can negatively impact oral health. Tobacco use increases your risk of developing oral cancer, including tongue cancer. In addition, your salivary glands may become inflamed. You can also raise the chance of leukoplakia or white patches inside the mouth.
Smoking and Dental Health: E-Cigarettes
As an “alternative” to tobacco smoking, e-cigarettes have gained popularity over the past few years. Many people claim they are helping them stop habits they never thought they could quit. At the same time, reducing the risk of cancer and pulmonary diseases. But, the vaping of e-cigarettes, as they are often called, is better for your mouth?
The answer is unclear. While there are clear benefits to reducing the use of tobacco, which drops the risk of developing oral cancer, there may be other problems tied to e-cigarettes that have not yet been discovered.
So far, complaints about e-cigarettes linked to the mouth have been limited to dryness. It may take years to determine whether e-cigarettes are safe. But for now, the wisest course would be to avoid them. Unfortunately, it can take decades to vet new developments such as e-cigs.
What your dentist can do to help you with your dental hygiene
No matter what form of tobacco you use, you can harm your gums and teeth, whether you smoke or snuff. To solve this issue, you should quit using tobacco altogether.
We know it’s not easy. Many people have attempted but failed to stop smoking. This isn’t a character flaw – it’s a hard habit to break. Smokers should not give up their oral hygiene habits because they smoke. It cannot be very comfortable to go to the dentist when you smoke. They are concerned about being judged by dental hygienists and dentists for using nicotine.
There’s a reason why fewer smokers visit the dentist: They don’t want to feel guilty. But, of course, no dentist wants to make you feel guilty, and we don’t want to lecture you either.
Tips for smokers to take of their dental health
To address your dental hygiene problems, here are a few dental tips if you haven’t yet quit smoking:
- Maintain a regular mouthwash regimen. Make sure the mouthwash has a potent formula that will kill bacteria. Ensure that you swish for at least 60 seconds to ensure the good amount of bacteria is destroyed.
- Make sure you floss every day. The practice of flossing can fall by the wayside when we’re tired, when we’re famished, or when we’re eager to get into bed. For smokers, flossing is crucial, as it can help prevent calculus buildup on teeth. You can diagnose periodontal disease early if you experience bleeding when flossing.
- Have your dentist check your tongue and gums. Smokers should tell their dentists and hygienists so they can check for signs of periodontal disease and oral cancer. Detecting a problem as soon as possible increases your chances of catching it early.