Why Smoking Is Bad For Your Teeth

Why Smoking Is Bad For Your Teeth

13/11/2020

Smoking is a very addictive habit and also a very damaging habit, too. The negative impact of smoking on your health can be devastating, including your oral health. If you are a smoker it can be difficult to maintain an effective oral health routine as you are undoing all your hard work each time you smoke.

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your oral health and overall wellbeing. Keep reading to find out why smoking is bad for your teeth.

Staining
People who have been smoking for many years often have very stained teeth that have now become an unsightly shade of yellow or brown. Teeth whitening and stain removal is a great option for bringing the whiteness back into your teeth, however, stains which have penetrated deep into the teeth are much harder to remove and may require more intensive treatment.

People who have quit smoking often ‘treat’ themselves to teeth whitening to prevent them starting to smoke again.

Poor Gum Health
Did you know that smoking reduces the blood flow to your gums? This reduced blood flow means that your gums won’t be able to fight off bacteria and plaque effectively, putting you at a greater risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Worryingly, due to the lessened blood flow you may not be able to identify yourself if you have gum disease as the most common sign of gum disease is bleeding gums.

Cancer
Unfortunately, cancer is seen as something that will “never happen to me”, however, this simply isn’t the case. If you are a smoker or have recently quit, it is essential that you regularly visit the dentist for check-ups. Most oral cancer cases are caused by smoking.

Dry Mouth
It is important to know that the saliva in your mouth fights off bad bacteria and sugars in your mouth. Smokers often have dry mouth, a condition where your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. This condition is often seen in cases of gum disease and tooth decay.

Whether you have just quit smoking and want to have a dental check-up or have quit for some time and want to give your smile a makeover, get in touch now to book an appointment.