It’s always a good idea to talk to the doctor for strategies to help you achieve your wellness goals for the new year. Quitting smoking is a major accomplishment that will improve your life on every level. Studies have also shown that you reduce your risk of oral cancer significantly when you quit smoking. Research has shown again and again that smoking is the single most serious risk factor for oral cancer. Just as this clot can be dislodged by sucking through a straw or spitting, it can also be dislodged by the force of inhaling and exhaling while smoking. Smoking following a tooth extraction can cause a painful condition called “dry socket.” After extraction, a clot forms to protect the tooth socket. Smokers experience a higher rate of root infections, and smoking also slows the healing process after oral surgeries or trauma. Because smoking affects the immune system’s response to inflammation and infection, smokers suffering from gum disease don’t respond as well to treatment. Smoking has been linked to weakened immune systems, so it’s harder to fight off an infection and to heal after an injury. Studies suggest that there are multiple factors at work, which may include a smoker’s bone quality and density, gum tissue affected by constricted blood vessels, and compromised healing. While implant failure isn’t common, it does occur significantly more often among smokers. Tooth implants look and function like our original teeth, and are one of the best solutions for tooth loss. Unsurprisingly, tooth loss is also more common among smokers. Periodontitis, or severe gum disease, is much more common among smokers, and can lead to bone and tooth loss. Smoking has been linked to greater numbers of harmful oral bacteria in the mouth and a greater risk of gingivitis (early gum disease). Another common cause of bad breath? Gum disease, which is also found more frequently among smokers. Smoking also dries out the mouth, and, without the normal flow of saliva to wash away food particles and bacteria, bad breath results. The chemicals in cigarettes linger on the surfaces of your mouth causing an unpleasant odor, but that’s not the only source of smoker’s breath. Tartar, hardened plaque that can only be removed by a dental professional, is especially hard on delicate gum tissue. Tobacco staining might require professional whitening treatments because it penetrates the enamel over time.īacterial plaque and tartar cause cavities and gum disease, and smokers suffer from plaque and tartar buildup more than non-smokers do. After months and years of smoking, your teeth can take on an unappealing dark yellow, orange, or brown color. Tar and nicotine start staining teeth right away. While this is possibly the least harmful side effect of smoking, it’s a very visible one. How does smoking affect your teeth and mouth? With far-reaching consequences like this, it’s no surprise that your oral health suffers when you smoke as well. You’re at greater risk for cancer, high blood pressure, blood clots, and blood vessel disorders. Smokers are more likely to suffer from lung disease, heart attacks, and strokes. You know that smoking is very damaging to your body. It’s a new year, and it couldn’t come fast enough for many of us! Let’s do our part to make this a better year in every way-and you can start by making this the year you quit smoking once and for all.
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