Smoking and Dental Health We've all seen the picture of the lifelong smoker with the yellow teeth, but how true a picture is it? Can smoking lead to yellowing of teeth? Well, the sad truth is that yellow teeth is not even half the story. And smoking is only part of the story as well. The fact is that all tobacco products are harmful to teeth, not just cigarettes. And it's not just yellow teeth you can get from using tobacco products. Tobacco is one of the leading contributors to problems with the teeth and all of their surrounding structures. If you've ever wondered just exactly what can happen to your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structures from using cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, dip, and yes, even smokeless tobacco products, here's some information from top dentists in Clearwater concerning smoking and dental health. Effects of tobacco products on teeth Use of all tobacco products, not just cigarettes, can lead to the following: • •
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Halitosis (bad breath) Yellowing and other discoloration of teeth Increased
plaque buildup on teeth that can be difficult to eliminate Higher risk of gum disease, which is a major contributor to loss of teeth Slow rate of healing following tooth extraction and other dental procedures such as oral surgery Reduced success rate of dental implant procedures Increased risk of developing cancers of the mouth
Tobacco products and gum disease: Use of tobacco products is a leading cause of gum disease in adults. Smoking and use of other tobacco products such as snuff, dip, and chew can lead to gum disease, of which there are two types: gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder version of periodontal disease. Gingivitis is characterized by swollen, red gums that can bleed easily. Periodontal disease, often referred to as gum disease, is more severe and can lead to loss of not only teeth, but bone structure. Often, because patients who have gingivitis often don't have much pain, its effects and advancement go unnoticed, eventually leading to the more severe periodontal disease. Smoking often leads to gum disease because it affects the attachment of soft tissue and bone to teeth. It can cause dysfunction or
malfunction of gum tissue cells, making tobacco users more susceptible to infection. It can even slow the healing process following oral surgeries and other dental procedures such as dental implants. Smokeless tobacco and dental health The general consensus seems to be that smokeless tobacco products are not unhealthy. But this is not true. In fact, when it comes to teeth, smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of developing cancers of the mouth and esophagus, making those who use them far more susceptible to oral cancer fatalities. Smokeless tobacco products such as cigarettes and cigars contain more than 25 chemicals that are reported to show an increased risk of cancers of the mouth. Additionally, smokeless tobacco products often contain sand, which wears away at tooth enamel, thereby weakening teeth surfaces. If you are a smoker you should consider quitting as soon as you can, but in the meantime you should visit a dentist and discuss your specific oral health options; one treatment you may want to consider is tooth whitening in Clearwater, whiter teeth can make your smile shine again and may be the push you need in order to quit smoking for good. The picture of the cigarette smoker with the yellow teeth certainly tells a sad story of an otherwise attractive and healthy person whose tobacco use has caused him some serious oral health issues. Bad breath, discolored teeth, worn enamel, weakened teeth and structures, increased risk of oral cancers... these are just some of the negative effects of tobacco products on the mouth. The teeth may not seem like the most important part of the body. After all, you can still live if you lose all your teeth, right? Naturally, the question then becomes... do you want to lose all your teeth? Of course you don't. And, if you continue to use tobacco products, you may not lose all your teeth. You may only have to live with ugly, crooked, discolored teeth that are weakening and aren't very effective for speaking
any longer, let alone chewing. But the story doesn't end with just unattractive teeth. It goes on with sequels about risk of developing oral cancers. The fact of the matter is that tobacco products aren't just a danger to your lungs and heart. They're a danger to your teeth and mouth. For more information about effects of tobacco products on dental health, schedule an appointment with a top dentist to have all your questions answered.