Other than just giving birth to lung cancer, smoking also has a serious impact on our oral health. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco is one of the contributing factor leading to gum disease. Dental implant failure is also quite common among smokers. As per the reports by CDC, (Center for Disease Control), more than one-third of smokers have dental issues. It is very important to understand the harmful effects of smoking on your overall oral health.

Periodontal or Gum disease builds up when plaque targets the tissue that makes up gums, periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and the cementum. The excess of chemicals found in cigarette smoke leads to throat, lung and oral cancers.

Smoking & Oral Health
On smoking cigarette, your teeth come in contact with toxins that are highly damaging and break down the strength of your teeth. The symptoms of the same include, bleeding gums, yellow teeth, tooth decay, dry mouth and so on. These symptoms can get even worse if you continue to smoke even after experiencing such issues. At an extreme level, smoking results in loss of tooth enamel, root canal or tooth loss.

Gum disease is quite common in smokers. The nicotine in cigarettes results in increased bacteria production, thereby reducing the amount of oxygen supplied to the gums. The symptoms are much like chronic dry mouth. It also constricts blood vessels, which means gums are less likely to bleed. This makes the condition even worse and also impossible for dentists to diagnose the real cause. Smoking leads to redness in gums, loose teeth, pus between teeth, bad breath, pain in chewing and so on.

Dental Hygiene Tips To Improve Oral Health
Quitting smoking is best than any other way to improve oral health. Below are some other tips that every smoker should follow to minimize the risk and complications of smoking on oral health.

1. Regular checkup with the dentist is a very common practice you must follow. They can also benefit from professional cleanings by being a part of regular dentist visits. Other than this, they should also focus on brushing, flossing, using a tongue cleaner and mouthwash on daily basis.

2. Having the right toothbrush is something smokers overlook but it is the biggest area of concern. Smokers must use a toothbrush that is strong enough to be able to tackle issues like stained teeth.

3. The toothbrush you choose should be able to reach all corners, including the back of gums. Smokers should also be wise enough in choosing the right toothpaste.

These are some quick tips. If you feel we have missed out on something, please feel free to share. If you wish to have healthy teeth and gums, make sure to take care of them. So, before it gets too late, get in touch with our San Antonio Dentist who will suggest you an ideal solution.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.