Smoking and Oral Health are Interlinked: Read to Know How?

You will be well aware that smoking is bad for our health, however little do we know that smoking contributes to oral diseases as well. Actually, it is not your fault if you don’t know. From the very beginning, we have only heard people chanting the phrase- “Smoking is Injurious to Health” and it causes numerous medical problems. But have you ever heard that smoking damages the mouth, gums as well as teeth? No, right? Continue reading to grasp every knowledge to understand the relation between smoking and oral health!

What all Dental Problems are Caused by Smoking?

• Bad breath
• Tooth discoloration
• Inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth
• An increased build-up of tartar & plaque on the teeth
• Loss of bone within the jaw
• Increased possibility of leukoplakia as well as white patches in the mouth
• Increased possibility of gum disease and cause tooth loss
• Delayed curing process after oral surgery, tooth extraction, and periodontal treatment
• The low success rate of the dental implant process
• Increased possibility of oral cancer

The list is not over! There are many more oral problems as well. Let’s move forward and know How Does Smoking Result in Gum Diseases? Smoking, as well as other tobacco products, result in serious gum disease as they directly affect the attachment of your bone & soft tissue of your teeth. In simpler words, smoking obstructs the normal functioning of your gum tissue cells. It is not as simple as it sounds my friend! This obstruction increases the risk of infections like periodontal disease. Plus, smoking hinders the blood flow to your gums that affect wound healing. Smoking causes a deficiency of oxygen in the bloodstream and that is the reason why the infected gums do not heal. Smokers produce bacterial plaque that results in gum disease. Smoking will worsen the gum disease more quickly than a non-smoker.

Why Is It High Time to Stop Smoking?

It doesn’t matter from how long you are smoking or using tobacco products, you can excellently reduce some serious possibilities of oral diseases if you decide to quit the habit now. While some studies have found that smokers who left their smoking had only 3 times the risk of developing gum disease as compared with non-smokers, other study published that the mouth lesion leukoplakia was completely healed within 6 weeks of leaving the smoking habit in 97.5 percent of patients who switched to smokeless tobacco products. Are you still confused to kick off your smoking habit? If you are so much addicted to smoking and can’t help quitting it. Don’t worry, we understand!! Here are some tips for you to resist oral problems:

• Give it a try with utmost dedication to quit smoking. Take the help of an experienced doctor to acquire support and guidance.
• If nothing seems working out and to quit smoking is still too hard, then try to reduce the number of cigarettes you daily smoke.
• Clean your teeth & gums thoroughly and that too two times a day using a toothpaste with fluoride.
• Use interdental cleaners or dental floss regularly to clean between your teeth.
• Consult your dentist every day for guidance about the proper care of your oral health at home as regular preventive care visits help to maintain your teeth as well as gums healthy.
• Prevent a dry mouth by drinking plenty of water as well as chew sugar-free gum to increase saliva production to restrict your smoking craving.

Bottom Line

A healthy smile is one of the principal factors!! Why not? After all, it is the very first thing a person notices. Do you want a smile that is discolored or dull that gives off bad breath too? Nobody wants!! You still have all the opportunities to kick off your smoking habit for good oral health!!

Go for it!!!