Over the past two decades, the public’s attitude towards smoking and tobacco has improved drastically. Where it used to be commonplace to smoke at every possible opportunity, most people today, whether smokers or not, understand the extreme negative health implications that come along with the habit.
Smoking is still an issue affecting many Canadians today. I thought it would be a good idea to remind my online community of some of the specific impacts of smoking on one’s oral health.
Some of the minor, more aesthetic issues associated with smoking are well understood and can also be attributed to activities such as drinking lots of coffee. This includes bad breath, an increase in the amount of plaque and significant discoloration on the surface of the teeth.
But did you know there are some major (and much scarier) oral health issues associated with smoking? Whether you smoke on a casual basis or consume a pack a day, the impact of cigarettes on your oral health is the same.
Smoking increases plaque build up and particles between the teeth. It also reduces blood flow to the gums. This puts smokers at a much higher risk of developing gum disease. If neglected and allowed to fester for long enough, gum disease can lead to oral cancer.
Smoking’s affects can also lead to tooth decay. The longer someone smokes, the more damage they do to the construction of their teeth. This causes a severe loss in mass that could potentially spread to the jaw line. This deterioration can inhibit the ability of dentists to properly fit a patient for restorative dental implants.
If you would like more information on the effects of tobacco use on your oral health and what you can do to reverse these effects, schedule a consultation with me at our Davisville dental office and we’ll work together towards making an improvement! Can’t wait to see you!