Tobacco Negatively Affects Your Oral Health

It is no secret that tobacco use is a dangerous and damaging habit. Smoking has a significant negative impact on your overall health, but it can also cause significant damage to the mouth. If you are a smoker or you frequently use chewing tobacco, it is important that you understand how tobacco negatively affects your oral health. Of course, at Family & Cosmetic Dental Care we encourage you to stop the use of tobacco for your health, and we would be happy to help you find a successful solution to quit.

Smoking and chewing tobacco (aka: chew or snuff) has a very negative impact on your gums. The gums are a living tissue found in the mouth with a constant blood supply. Any form of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) makes the gums extremely vulnerable to infection for those who use tobacco. Because the gums are living tissues, the blood supply for the gums is directly linked to the heart. An infection in the gums, even a small infection known as gingivitis, can be carried directly to the heart through the blood stream. This is known as a direct link between tobacco use and your oral health → tobacco use and your general health. It is foolish to ignore this link because heart disease can have deadly consequences.

Smoking and chewing tobacco can be a direct cause of oral cancer. The use of nicotine weakens the body’s immune system because smoking compresses the blood vessels. When the blood vessels are compressed, the blood supply is reduced, allowing less oxygen, nutrients, and white blood cells to reach the gums and fight infection. With a weakened immune system and infected gums, nicotine has a direct association with oral cancer.

Smoking and chewing tobacco also cause bad breath and discoloration to the teeth. Nicotine and tar are the main culprits that discolor the teeth. When nicotine is mixed with oxygen it turns yellow, and it begins to turn the teeth yellow. Tar is a thick, black substance, and when tobacco is inhaled or placed in the mouth it settles into the oral cavity and begins to cause darker stains.

If you are a tobacco user, we encourage you to make the decision to quit – for your oral health and for your overall health. Tobacco negatively affects your oral health and the damage that tobacco use can cause can be detrimental – yet it is completely preventable. If you would like help quitting tobacco use, contact Family & Cosmetic Dental Care and we will be happy to offer suggestions. We can also help to restore the health and beauty to your smile through gum treatments, deep cleanings, and teeth whitening. Call today!

Posted by Mitul Patel DDS, Family & Cosmetic Dental Care
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