How does Smoking affect my oral health?
Continuing our oral cancer month special…….. today we discuss smoking.
Why does smoking affect my oral health?
Sadly with smoking people are now aware that it is bad for their health. It very well documented.
It can cause many different medical problems including death . However, any people don’t realise the damage that smoking does to their mouth, gums and teeth.
If you are a Smoker, you are likely to see staining on your teeth, signs of gum disease and over time tooth loss. You are also at risk of oral cancer.
How is smoking linked with cancer?
The most documented cases of cancer people know about through smoking is lung and throat cancer, but many people still don’t know that it is one of the main causes of mouth cancer too. Every year thousands of people die from mouth cancer brought on by smoking.
Images of orals cancers can be viewed here
https://oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/oral-cancer-images/
Does smoking cause gum disease?
If you are a smoker you are more likely to have gum disease and tooth loss. The reason is happens is because smoking reduces oxygen in the bloodstream, this means you’re your gums don’t heal.
Smokers normally have more dental plaque and this causes gum disease to get worse more quickly than in non-smokers. Long term resulting in loss of bone and support to your teeth.
Why are my teeth stained?
One of the effects of smoking is staining on the teeth. This happens due to the nicotine and tar in the tobacco. It is likely to make you teeth turn yellow and with heavy smokers we often have complaints of having brown teeth, due to years of smoking.
Are there special dental products I can use?
In short, no, there are whitening products on the market to reduce the staining but in short…… smoking is very dangerous and seeking help to quit first is the most important step.
Should I use mouthwash?
Again, there are many washes out there but it is not a cure.
How often should I visit my dentist?
It is important that you visit your dentist at least every 6 months for a normal check-ups and full mouth examination so that any other conditions can be spotted early. If you have areas of concern, we will normally ask to see you every 3 months
If you smoke you are more likely to have stained teeth, and therefore you may need appointments more often with the dental hygienist.
Why do I need to do dental check ups?
We carry out a regular examinations to make sure that your teeth, gums and the whole mouth are healthy.
We will also examine your cheeks, tongue, and throat for any signs of other conditions that may need more investigation.
We are also the first port of call to ask for help to cease smoking
Call 01273 418404
info@dentist-hove.co.uk