Most people have finally been aware that smoking is literally injurious to health. It is the cause of several medical issues and even deadly diseases. Most of the time, people often overlook the damage it causes to their gums, mouth, and teeth. Smoking can also lead to mouth cancer in severe cases. Along with it, here are the common oral problems with smoking –
- Discoloration of tooth
- Bad breath
- Inflammation of opening of salivary glands on the upper side of the mouth
- Increased loss of jawbone
- Increased buildup of tartar and plaque on teeth
- Increased risk of white patches (leukoplakia) in the mouth
- Increased risk of oral cancer
- Increased risk of gum disease, one of the major causes of losing teeth
- Delayed healing after tooth extraction, oral surgery, or periodontal treatment
- Reduced chances for success of dental implants
Does smoking stain teeth?
Teeth stains are one of the common problems of smoking because the tobacco contains tar and nicotine. Within a very short time, your teeth become yellowish. Even after years of leaving smoking, teeth remain almost brown of people who were once heavy smokers.
Smoking and Gum Disease
Cigarette and other tobacco products affect the soft tissue and bone attachment to your teeth and cause gum disease. It specifically shows that smoking affects the normal functioning of cells in the gum tissue. Due to this interference, smokers become more vulnerable to common infections. It also affects blood flow to your gums and causes periodontal disease. It also delays the healing of wounds.
Does Smoking Cause Oral Cancer?
Most of the time, we have seen in newspaper and TV ads that smoking causes throat and lung cancer. But most of us don’t even know that it also causes oral cancer. Thousands of people die of oral cancer every year due to smoking.
Is there any toothpaste available for people who smoke?
People who smoke can use different prescription kinds of toothpaste. They are quite more abrasive than regular toothpaste. So, use them carefully. Dentists recommend using these kinds of toothpaste on alternate days along with regular ones. Some special teeth whitening toothpaste may help. They don’t do anything much with the natural color of teeth. But they can help remove stains and also improve the overall look of teeth.
Treatment
If you want to quit tobacco, your dentist may recommend some medications to calm down your cravings for a cigarette, such as nicotine patches and gums. You can buy some nicotine gums over the counter, while some need a prescription. You can also join smoking support groups and cessation classes along with drug therapy.
Hospitals around you can also offer these programs. You may ask your dentist for details regarding these programs. Herbal remedies like acupuncture and hypnosis are also effective.