admin
May 17, 2023
Thousands of precious lives are lost annually in Australia because of their lethal addiction to tobacco. Despite the danger of developing cancer, lung disease, heart problems and stroke, many adults continue to smoke. In 2021-22, the country had 1.9 million daily smokers.
Besides being the root cause of various chronic health ailments, smoking is also considered harmful to oral health. Consequently, dentists have been asking patients to quit smoking to improve their oral and overall health. Most smokers don’t even know the impact of smoking on oral health.
Let us help you understand the dental problems caused by smoking, and why quitting before it is too late is a good idea. It is essential to keep this information handy if you are a smoker or want a loved one to quit.
Dental Problems Caused By Smoking
It has been proven that people who smoke are more vulnerable to developing tooth and gum problems. It can even lead to tooth loss in severe conditions. Also, vaping is equally bad for dental health because the liquids in the e-cigarettes contain heavy metals, nicotine and volatile organic compounds that cause gum problems. Here are the common oral issues caused by smoking.
- Tobacco Causes Oral Cancer
Alcohol and tobacco are responsible for oral cancer that begins in the cells lining the mouth and grows into a tumour. It can develop anywhere in the mouth, such as the tongue, inside walls of cheeks, palate, lips, salivary glands, etc. The symptoms include red or white patches in the mouth, an ulcer that does not heal, difficulty moving the jaw, a painful or painless lump in the mouth, etc.
Dentists Hope Island use tests like a biopsy, MRI and CT Scans to diagnose oral cancer. Treatment includes chemotherapy, surgical removal of tumours, and radiation. It can be life-threatening when it spreads to other parts of the body. Thus, it is better to stop smoking and curtail alcohol consumption.
- Smoking Leads to Gum Disease
Gum disease or periodontitis affects the gums and the bone that holds the tooth in its position. It is caused by the accumulation of plaque on the gum line that hardens to become tartar. It creates pockets between the teeth and gums, pulling them away from each other and making the teeth loose.
It begins with gingivitis which is identified by inflammation of the gums, sensitivity, and bleeding while brushing or flossing. If left untreated, the gum infection aggravates and causes gum recession. It can eventually lead to tooth loss.
Smokers are highly likely to develop gum disease because tobacco addiction decreases immunity. Thus, the body is not able to fight the infection in the gums, and low immunity also slows down the healing process because of the lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. The best way to avoid this problem is to maintain optimum oral hygiene and stop smoking.
- Tobacco Is Responsible for the Staining of Teeth
Cigarettes contain nicotine and tar that are responsible for the yellowing of teeth at a fast pace. Chain smoking can even make teeth brown in colour, which can be embarrassing.
Dentists in Hope Island offer teeth whitening treatments that help to get rid of the problem. However, it will come back if you continue to smoke. Thus, quitting smoking and brushing twice daily is the best way to keep yellowing at bay.
- Smoking Triggers Halitosis or Bad Breath
The primary concern of most smokers is the bad breath which affects their social interactions and engagements. The problem can be treated with the help of rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, brushing regularly and chewing sugar-free gum to reduce the bad odour. Although bad breath is not a major problem, it can impact your confidence level and relationships.
How To Quit Smoking For Better Oral Health?
Quitting tobacco requires help from the dentist or doctor. You cannot abruptly stop consuming cigarettes because it causes withdrawal symptoms like sleeplessness, depression, restlessness, anxiety, cravings, etc. It can take a few months to get rid of the habit completely.
Usually, dentists in Hope Island prescribe nicotine gums and patches to reduce cravings or medicines to help the body adapt. It is essential to make certain lifestyle changes to stop smoking. These include avoiding interacting with smokers and reducing the triggers that make yield to lighting a cigarette.
In addition, you need to switch to a healthy diet and include more fluids in your daily intake. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables helps to keep your teeth and body healthy and energised.
Many smokers also join therapy or support groups to meet people who are sailing in the same boat. Listening to their struggles and stories of triumph over their cravings can be highly inspiring and motivational. Besides these changes, you must get your teeth scaled and cleaned by the dentist to remove the plaque build-up and ensure brushing twice daily.
Wrapping Up
Smokers are often unaware of the impact of tobacco addiction on their teeth and gums. It is vital to know these facts to stay away from the habit and improve your oral well-being.
