Ever wondered how smoking can affect your oral health? Here you go.
Smoking is a dangerous habit that can have numerous adverse effects on your health, including your oral health. Smoking can cause bad breath, yellow teeth, and increase your risk of gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals which damage your mouth and teeth.
1. Smoking Causes Bad Breath
Smoking can cause bad breath (halitosis) by drying out the mouth and killing off beneficial bacteria that help keep breath smelling fresh. It also causes the teeth to yellow and stain, as the tar and nicotine in smoke stick to tooth enamel. In addition to this, smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease. The toxins in cigarette smoke cause inflammation and damage to the gums, as well as making it harder for wounds to heal. This can lead to periodontitis, a serious gum infection which can cause gum recession and tooth loss.
2. Smoking increases the risk for cancer
Smoking also increases your risk of oral cancer. The chemicals in cigarettes can damage cells in the mouth and throat, and can lead to cancerous growths. If caught early, oral cancer is usually treatable, however it can be fatal if left untreated.
Take the right steps to improve your oral health
Although quitting smoking can be difficult, it can be extremely beneficial for your oral health. Quitting smoking will improve your breath, reduce the rate of staining on your teeth, and reduce your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. You can also improve your oral health by brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist for regular check-ups.
If you’re a smoker, it is important to take steps to protect your oral health. Quit smoking, brush and floss regularly, and visit your dentist regularly. Doing so can help keep your mouth healthy and reduce your risk of serious oral health issues.