How Does Smoking Impact Oral Health?

 
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While many people know that smoking is bad for their lungs, few realize that smoking is also bad for their oral health, particularly for your teeth.

Here are some of the facts you should know about smoking and how it can have detrimental effects on the health of your mouth.

Why does smoking damage your teeth?

Smoking cigarettes releases harmful smoke into your mouth that works to promote the growth of bacteria and plaque on your teeth. Because smokers receive less oxygen in their bloodstream, smoking can also prevent damaged gums from healing properly. It's common for many smokers to take longer while recovering from oral health issues, perpetuating poor dental health as a whole.

Common dental health issues associated with smoking

People will often experience a variety of oral health problems throughout their time as smokers. Here are just some of the dental issues you may experience as a result of chronic smoking:

  • Teeth staining, yellowing, and other discoloration

  • Tooth loss

  • Periodontal disease and other gum diseases, including gingivitis

  • Bad breath

  • Dulled sense of taste and smell

  • Bone loss in the jaw

  • Leukoplakia, the presence of white patches in the mouth

  • Delayed healing after dental procedures and surgeries

  • Oral cancer

  • Lower success for procedures like dental implants


All of these issues can affect your quality of life in negative ways, either physically or socially. In fact, it's estimated that more than 50% of adults over the age of 50 agree that a person's smile remains the most attractive feature as we age.

What can a dentist do for me?

Your dentist will work hard to rid your mouth of the harmful plaque that grows on your teeth. Visiting your dentist every six months is especially important for smokers; if this harmful plaque isn't cleaned, you're at an increased risk for cavities and tooth loss.

Unfortunately, your dentist can only do so much. They will be able to help you should you need an emergency dentist, but a family dental practitioner will have trouble performing cosmetic dental services on mouths that don't heal properly. The best thing you can do is stop smoking to improve your health overall.

For more information on cosmetic dental work, contact the dentist Chandler AZ trusts: at Aesthetic Family Dental Care, we work hard to repair and maintain teeth for people of all lifestyles. Rely on the experience of a dentist Chandler AZ knows to get the job done right and contact us today for your next appointment.


Drew Rossell