What Problems Can Smoking Cause?
Smoking can lead to serious dental problems. Some are just annoying and inconvenient like bad breath and tooth discoloration. But it can also cause very serious issues including inflammation of the salivary glands, increased buildup of plaque and tartar, lose of bone in the jaw, risk of leukoplakia, risk of gum disease, tooth loss, delayed healing, and increased risk of developing oral cancer.
Why Does Smoking Do So Much Harm?
When you smoke, your body's immune system is weakened and has a hard time fighting off infection. That means that all the bacteria in your mouth has a better chance of causing problems for your teeth and gums. Plaque and tartar in between your teeth can grow more quickly, causing inflammation and infection. In fact, a smoker's chance of getting gum disease is twice as much as a non-smoker.
Which Tobacco Product is Better for Me?
In short, none of them! Cigarettes, pipes, and chewing tobacco are all detrimental to your dental health and increase your risk of gum disease and all the other dental health issues we've talked about.
What are the Warning Signs of Gum Disease?
If you're wondering what the signs and symptoms are of gum disease, check out this list:
- Sensitive teeth
- Gums are red or swollen
- Gums are tender or bleeding
- Pain with chewing
- Loose teeth
- Gums pulling away from the teeth
How Is Gum Disease Treated?
Gum disease is very detrimental to your overall health, so it's important to seek treatment if you think you have an issue. The best way to treat early gum disease is with regular tooth brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist's office. If you do end up with severe gum disease, there are still ways to treat it. Your dentist may have to clean below the gum line, perform surgery to remove tartar and heal bone or gum loss, or prescribe a prescription mouth rinse. Keep in mind, though, it may be harder for your gums to heal if you are a smoker.
Isn't the Damage Already Done?
While your teeth and gums may have already experienced a lot of damage from years of smoking, it's never too late to quit! In fact, many habitual smokers that quit then have the same lower risk of gum disease as a non-smoker. Your gum and tooth health will also improve greatly if you even reduce the amount you smoke. Again, it's never too late to quite and enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and - as a result - as healthier mouth!
Dental Health in Missouri
If you are looking for help addressing your dental health issues, Access Dental and Dentures is here for you! Our expert team of dentists and dental hygienists can help find out what is going on and how to fix it. You deserve a healthy, confident smile, and we can help you!
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