Heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses are just a few of the serious health concerns that smoking is a key contributor to. But did you realise that smoking seriously harms your teeth and gums as well? In this post, we’ll examine the facts around the harm cigarettes due to your teeth and the reasons quitting smoking is crucial for maintaining good dental health.
Smoking Causes Tooth Discoloration
Tooth discolouration is one of the most noticeable effects of smoking on your teeth. Cigarette tar and nicotine can adhere to your teeth, turning them yellow or brown. Only a professional tooth whitening technique can successfully address this discolouration, which is tough to eradicate.
Smoking Increases Your Risk of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a dangerous ailment that can result in tooth loss, and smoking is a key risk factor for the disorder. Your gums may get damaged and irritated from smoking, which increases their susceptibility to infection. Smoking also impairs your gums’ ability to recover from an infection or injury, which can result in advanced gum disease and tooth loss.
Smoking Decreases Your Ability to Taste and Smell
It can be challenging to appreciate the flavours and scents of your favourite foods if you smoke because smoking can impair your sense of taste and smell. This can significantly lower your general quality of life and reduce how much you enjoy eating and drinking.
Smoking Decreases Blood Flow to Your Mouth
Smoking reduces blood flow to the mouth, which can be harmful for your oral health in a number of ways. Your gums are more prone to injury and infection when there is not enough blood flow to them, which can result in gum disease. A lack of blood supply to your teeth might also make it harder for them to recover from an infection or injury, increasing your chance of losing teeth.
Smoking Increases chance of Oral/ Mouth Cancer
Finally, smoking is a significant risk factor for oral cancer, a deadly disease that can result in death or severe disfigurement. Cigarette smoke contains compounds that can harm oral tissues and raise the possibility of mouth cancer. Smoking can also make it more difficult for your body to fight cancer, which makes it more difficult to recover from this condition.
In conclusion, smoking seriously harms your gums and teeth. Smoking has a substantial negative influence on your entire oral health, causing everything from gum disease and tooth discolouration to impaired taste and smell perception and an increased risk of oral cancer. It’s never too late to stop smoking and get better oral health. You may lower your risk of oral health issues and keep your smile healthy and attractive for years to come by stopping smoking and practising proper oral hygiene routines.
