How Cigarettes Harm Your Teeth

According to a report brought by research done by the Center for Disease Control in 2017. Fourteen out of every 100 aged eighteen and older in the USA smoke. It translates to 14% of the American population. Doctors from across the world have been against smoking due to the health implications it’s associated with. Many are already aware of the health complications brought by smoking, including how it raises the chances of developing lung cancer. Still, only a few know of its impact on oral health. Therefore, we will discuss how smoking affects your mouth so you can be more informed of the future complications it may have on your teeth.

How Smoking Cigarettes Harm Your Teeth

Your oral health is just as important as your general body health. Smoking is one of the leading causes of dental diseases in adults. Below are common dental side effects of smoking:

Tooth Discoloration

Smoking cigarettes daily increases the chances of getting tooth discolorations. It won’t matter whether you brush your teeth daily. Take a porcelain vase as an example. The enamel of your teeth acts similar to a porcelain finish with tiny cracks. As your teeth age and wear out with frequent use, the fine cracks will start absorbing some of the contents of the food you are eating. Stained teeth also look unattractive, thus negatively affecting your self-confidence.

When you smoke a cigarette, tar and nicotine from the cigarette get absorbed into your teeth. Even if you brush thoroughly, the tar and nicotine will not disappear. There is also the effect of plaque and tartar on your teeth, thus increasing the risk of developing cavities and other severe dental problems. If your teeth develop stains due to frequent smoking, visit any of our dental offices near you to have them whitened via in-office teeth whitening.

Slow Healing of Wounds

A chronic smoker is more likely to experience tooth loss than a non-smoker. First, smoking affects your mouth by reducing your body’s natural healing capability. It reduces the oxygen levels in your bloodstream, which is vital for healing. So, the wound will require more recovery when a chronic smoker suffers from dental disease that you can only heal through dental treatment involving surgery such as dental extraction and root canal treatment.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Smoking can cause mouth ulcers and sores, which makes it easier for bacteria to infect the patient’s gums leading to gingivitis or advanced periodontitis. Patients with gum disease have a higher chance of experiencing tooth loss and tend to have trouble maintaining their dental implants.

Periodontitis tends to occur in stages. It starts with bacteria accumulation, then progresses to gingivitis and periodontitis. Smokers also have lower immunity protection, making it easier for the disease to advance to severe stages.

Signs of Gum Disease

Knowing the common signs of gum disease is vital if you are a chronic smoker. Here are a few examples:

• Gums recede, exposing the inner parts of the tooth
• Bleeding when brushing your teeth
• Red, swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Increased tooth sensitivity
• Pain when chewing

Always be on the lookout for symptoms of gum disease. If you notice any of the above symptoms, visit a Mesa dentist for diagnosis and treatment.

How to Quit Smoking

Chronic smokers may become addicts and find it challenging to stop smoking. You can decide to stop by gradually reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. Other tips to help you quit smoking include:

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine replacement therapy is among the best measures to help chronic patients to quit smoking. The therapy helps patients with chronic nicotine addictions overcome intense nicotine cravings. Talk to your doctor about nicotine therapy and when you can start. There are numerous options when it comes to this form of therapy; examples include:

Prescription nicotine is stored and administered in the form of nasal sprays and inhalers

Nicotine patches and gums, which you can purchase without a doctor’s prescription

Non-nicotine products which help addicts quit smoking examples include bupropion and varenicline.

Avoid Triggers

Some smokers tend to feel the urge to smoke when around places that remind them of smoking. Examples are bars, parties, and smoke zones. Stress can also trigger chronic smokers who are trying to quit to backslide. Find out what triggers your old smoking habits, then find a way to avoid them so you don’t relapse.

Keep Busy

Boredom can cause you to relapse. If you feel bored, find something fun to do. Find a hobby that will take your mind off smoking. For example, you can start exercising to keep busy. Chores and doodling are also good distractions.

Conclusion

Smoking is bad for your body and teeth. Besides exposing you to chronic respiratory problems, it contributes to dental diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Your teeth can also develop yellow and brown stains, which are hard to remove through regular teeth brushing. Visit Bella Via Dental, a dentist near you, for consultation and treatment of dental diseases, including those caused by chronic smoking. We also do dental cleaning and whitening to remove teeth discolorations.