Impact of Smoking on Oral Health

Smoking is harmful to overall health. It not only affects the lungs but also results in a number of oral problems. Smoking increases the risk of developing oral cancer, gum disease, and tooth decay, and it also affects your appearance.

Tobacco use is the act of inhaling and exhaling smoke that comes from tobacco products. The most common forms of tobacco use are cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Tobacco products are available in many different flavors that appeal to users. Most tobacco manufacturers heavily market their products as being safe while making deceptive health claims.

Tobacco use is dangerous to overall health, but it poses specific risks to oral health as well. The following are a few ways that tobacco use can negatively impact your teeth and gums.

Gum disease: The toxins found in tobacco smoke can cause gum inflammation that can lead to gum disease. Cigarette smokers are twice as likely to develop the condition compared to non-smokers.

Tooth discoloration: Nicotine and tar each cause tooth staining that discolors the enamel of your teeth. This can make your smile look dull or yellowed over time.

Bad breath: In addition to causing general bad breath, smoking can also cause dry mouth. A dry mouth allows bacteria to thrive and causes an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Wrinkled skin: Cigarettes contain a lot of dangerous chemicals that seep into your skin and cause wrinkles. These wrinkles often start to appear at a young age, so it’s important to avoid smoking if you want to avoid premature aging.

Increased tooth loss: Research shows that smokers are more likely to lose their teeth due to gum disease and tooth decay than non-smokers. Smokers also tend to develop the periodontal disease at a younger age than non-smokers.

Cancer: Increased risk for oral cancer, including cancer of the lip, tongue, mouth, and throat. Cigarette smoke contains over 70 different carcinogens that can infect the mouth by causing sores, lesions, or changes in the lining of the mouth. This increases the risk of cancerous cells developing in these areas.

As you can see, there are many negative health effects associated with smoking. If you would like to quit smoking, consider speaking to your dentist about helpful resources that can help! 

To learn more oral-care tips from the experts at Homeland Dental, contact our dentist in Greensboro and his team at (336) 272-0132 or visit our office located at 1037 Homeland Ave, Greensboro, NC 27405. We will be happy to help you!