Smoking and Oral Health a Serious Problem
December 1, 2018
Smoking and oral health is a serious issue, and while most people know the facts about smoking and overall health, most are unaware of how detrimental to your teeth and gums?
According to the American Dental Association, smoking and chewing tobacco can cause tooth decay, gum disease and even tooth loss. Smoking and oral health
Smoking and Oral Health How Does Tobacco Damage Teeth and Gums?
If you smoke or chew tobacco, you are irritating your gums. When this happens, your teeth will pull away from your gum tissue creating pockets. Those pockets make it easy for bacteria and debris to get into your blood system.
Nuvo Dental of Irvine explains that periodontal disease treatments are not as effective with smokers and tobacco chewers. Smoking also weakens your immune system making you more susceptible to gum disease and dental caries.
Problems Caused from Tobacco Use Smoking and Oral Health
- Tooth Yellowing
- Transparent Teeth
- Dental Restoration Damage
- Periodontal Disease
- Worn Down Enamel
- Immune System is Compromised
- Oral Cancer
- Slow Healing after Dental Treatments
- More Plaque
Is Chewing Tobacco Safer than Smoking?
Chewing tobacco is just as dangerous to your teeth and gums as smoking. In fact, that pinch between your teeth and gums is loaded with sugar and other additives that can wear away the enamel on your teeth. On top of that, chewing tobacco contains grit, which will wear down your teeth.
Smokeless tobacco products are not linked to lung cancer, and while they are often promoted as being safer, that is not the case.
Smokeless tobacco products also increase your chance of leukoplakia or white patches inside of your mouth. Although precancerous, they have been known to lead to oral cancer.
Heart Disease and Chewing Tobacco
Heart disease is also an issue with chewing tobacco as it can speed up your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. Recent studies indicate that smokeless tobacco puts you in the high-risk category for stroke and heart disease.
If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit. Schedule an appointment with Nuvo Dental of Irvine for a comprehensive dental examination to determine if your bad habit has affected your teeth and gums.
Call for a dental checkup today.