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Oct 24, 2024
Smoking is an age-old practice of inhaling smoke by burning tobacco present in cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Tobacco consists of nicotine, which releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that help to relax and even concentrate on a task. Nicotine is addictive and makes the smoker crave more. Similar to smoking, vaping is a new-age technique that involves inhaling a mist of nicotine and flavouring produced by an e-cigarette or vape pen. The device contains liquid nicotine, which is addictive.
However, vaping is considered less damaging than cigarette smoking. Still, it has been found to cause asthma, organ damage, cancer, and lung scarring. The harmful effects of cigarettes include cancer, vascular disease, lung problems, eye disease, type 2 diabetes, etc. Besides these health issues, smoking and vaping also impact dental health. Here is everything you need to know about dental trouble caused by these addictions.
Impact of Smoking and Vaping on Dental Health
Smoking and vaping cause a wide range of dental problems, including impacting the bone and soft tissue of teeth. It reduces immunity which decreases the ability of the body to fight infections. Here is a list of dental problems caused by smoking.
1. Plaque Build-Up and Cavities
One of the foremost impacts of smoking and vaping is the increase in the number of bad bacteria in the mouth, which leads to the build-up of plaque. It is a sticky film filled with bacteria that hardens to become tartar of calculus. If the tartar is not removed by an expert dentist in Hope Island, it leads to cavities and gum disease.
2. Reduced Saliva Production
Cigarettes and vape pens contain nicotine, which causes dryness in the mouth by reducing saliva production. With limited saliva in the mouth, the presence of acids and bacteria increases. They erode the tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay by promoting cavities along the gum line. Dry mouth can also cause painful mouth sores, cracked lips, and yeast infections.
3. Risk of Gum Disease
Smoking increases the risk of developing gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. It damages the bone that holds the tooth and can lead to tooth loss in extreme cases. The initial stage of the problem is known as gingivitis and can be detected by inflammation and bleeding of gums, recession of gum line and pus around the teeth.
However, it is difficult to detect the onset of gingivitis in smokers because of restricted blood supply to the gums. Visiting reputed dentists in Hope Island can help identify the problem early.
4. Reduced Taste Detection
The delicious taste of scrumptious food is the most charming part of consuming meals. However, smoking and vaping can impact the sense of taste in individuals by changing the number and vascularisation of taste buds. They reduce the ability to detect the actual flavour of different tastes. Nicotine and tar are also known to subdue the gustatory response of the tongue, which does not give the same joy of eating a delectable meal as enjoyed by a non-smoker.
5. Mouth Cancer Threat
Oral cancer can affect the tongue, cheeks, floor and roof of the mouth and lips. Smokers have a higher risk of developing mouth cancer due to damage to DNA in the cells that causes abnormal cell growth, tumours and cancer. Smoking also weakens the immune system, which diminishes the ability of the body to fight cancerous cells. The most common symptoms include mouth ulcers and white or red patches on the tongue or cheek walls. Vape pens also contain cancer-causing chemicals. Thus, it is vital to quit all types of smoking and vaping to stay healthy.
6. Cause Bad Breath
Bad breath is a common side effect of smoking. It emanates from the presence of sulphur-producing bacteria in the mouth. The problem can be severe when the bacteria begin to break down proteins rapidly to produce volatile sulphur compounds with a bad odour. Since smoking reduces oxygen and saliva in the mouth, bad breath becomes inevitable.
7. Increased Tooth Discolouration
Every individual desires shining white teeth. However, smoking and vaping can restrict this from happening because nicotine and other chemicals present in cigarettes stain teeth. Most smokers have yellow or brown teeth because the chemicals erode tooth enamel and expose dentin, which is yellow. Hope Island dentists suggest regular brushing and flossing to remove the sticky aerosol produced by e-cigarettes and nicotine residue from the mouth.
8. Increased Healing Time
Individuals who undergo mouth or gum surgeries can be impacted by their smoking and vaping habits. They may take longer to heal after an invasive treatment such as a dental implant because smoking reduces the supply of blood and oxygen to the mouth. They can also face challenges during a tooth extraction when the blood clot gets dislodged or does not develop properly to expedite healing. This condition is known as a dry socket and can be painful.
Wrapping Up
Smoking and vaping are bad for tooth and gum health. It is best to quit the habit gradually by reducing the number of cigarettes smoked in a day. In addition, it is essential to maintain oral hygiene for healthy teeth and gums.