Recent studies have proved that there is no safe level of smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke (passive smoking). Many people think that smoking as little as one cigarette every day will not cause any harm, which is not right. Even extremely light smoking, active or passive, can increase your risk of dying early. Moreover, smoking can cause severe oral health problems, a routine dental checkup with a good dentist can help you avoid and prevent oral problems.
If you want to have good oral health then the only option you have is to quit smoking. There are some very effective methods to do this. A routine dental checkup with a good dentist can help you with this problem.
Dental Problems Caused by Smoking
Smoking can lead to life-threatening health problems as well as many severe oral problems. These problems include:
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away no matter what you do
- Severe tooth discoloration (pale-yellow in color)
- Inflamed salivary glands
- The immense increase in plaque and tartar build-up
- Jawbone loss, which can be a precursor to tooth loss
- A higher risk of white patches inside the mouth
- More prone to gum bleeding and severe gum diseases
- Increased risk of developing severe oral cancer (Fatal Disease)
- The lower success rate of dental implants
- Delayed healing after tooth extraction and gum bleeding problem
How Smoking Affects Your Gums
Smoking can severely damage your gums. If left untreated, a smoker is more likely to suffer from severe gingivitis and even oral cancer in some cases. Smokers also have a very low resistance to infections and do not heal as a normal person would.
Symptoms of Periodontal Gum Disease
Smoking frequently puts you at a higher risk of developing severe gum disease. Gum disease, if left untreated, can transform into severe gingivitis that can be very difficult to deal with. Therefore, it’s very important to look for the signs of gum problems and to get proper medication and treatment before it gets worse.
Common symptoms include:
- Open spaces between the teeth
- Red and swollen gums that bleed and are tender to the touch
- Gums that pull away from the teeth as well as loose teeth
- A constant bad breath that doesn’t go away
- Teeth that are residing away from the gums
- Bleeding while eating an apple or some other food
- Pain while chewing
The Oral Cancer Due to Tobacco Consumption
Oral cancer usually develops on the tongue, palate floor, cheek, and lips. 75% of the people who suffer from any type of oral cancer are smokers, and only 25% are non-smokers. This shows that smoking can directly lead to oral cancer.
People believe that smoking one cigarette each day does not cause any harm, which is wrong. A small amount of regular tobacco consumption or even passive smoking can raise your chances of suffering from oral cancer. This clearly means that quitting smoking right now is the only reliable option.
Don’t Let Tobacco Destroy Your Oral Health (Quit Smoking)
Tobacco directly leads to cancer and severe gum disease. It can also cause tooth staining, and infection. Quitting smoking can greatly reduce your signs of infection and chances of severe health risks. Reducing the amount of tobacco consumption can also lower the risk of severe oral problems.
Research study has proven that a smoker who reduces his cigarette consumption from a full packet to a half-packet is 3 times less likely to suffer from oral diseases.
Here’s how a Dentist can Help you Quit Tobacco Consumption
- Your dentist can help you with excess cigarette consumption. Nicotine cravings and medications that include nicotine patches and gums can fulfill nicotine consumptions.
- The consumption of these alternatives to smoking can be reduced after some time based on the treatment plan made by your dentist.
- They may recommend getting Invisalign clear aligners – an alternative to braces that keeps your teeth straight and makes smoking practically hard.
- The smoking cessation classes along with support groups can also help you get rid of the smoking problems. Many health insurance companies, employers, and hospitals offer this treatment. You can ask your dentist about where these workshops take place and how they can help you quit this bad habit.
- Some herbal remedies along with acupuncture treatment can also help you get rid of this seriously bad habit.
Please Remember
- People who regularly smoke are at a greater health risk. They are 50% more likely to suffer from oral cancer and other oral problems.
- Smokers heal very slow as compared to non-smokers. They may heal slower after oral surgery, and tooth extraction procedures.
- Visit your dentist after every month if you are a smoker. A dentist can help you maintain oral hygiene even if you can not quit smoking.
- Quit smoking as soon as possible, as it only causes harm and no good
