Posted on: 15 October, 2024
Smoking can do more than just stain your teeth
3 minute read
Most people know that smoking can harm their general health, but it can also cause a number of problems in the mouth. As the first point of contact with cigarette smoke, the mouth can be affected in many ways, from obvious signs like stained teeth and bad breath to more subtle but serious problems.
Quitting smoking can lower these risks, but it’s also important to visit the dentist for regular check-ups, or if you’re worried about a problem.
Smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco is a major risk factor for oral health problems such as gum disease and oral cancer. In fact, smokers are 80% more likely to develop advanced gum disease than ex-smokers or those who have never smoked tobacco. It contributes to tooth loss, staining and other problems, such as slowing healing times and increasing the risk of complications from dental treatments.
Gum disease happens when bacteria build up on the teeth around the gum line and irritate the gum. In its early stage (gingivitis), this can cause the gums to swell and redden. If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can progress into periodontitis, which can cause gum recession and permanent damage to structures around the teeth.
Smoking and vaping increases the risk and speed of developing severe gum disease. People who smoke or vape are more likely to have a buildup of bacteria on their teeth, and reduced oxygen in the blood means the gums can’t heal properly once infected. By reducing blood flow to the gums, smoking can also mask some early warning signs of gum disease, such as a bleeding or discoloured gums, delaying diagnosis.
Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss for adults, and smokers are more likely to have severe gum disease and missing teeth compared to non-smokers. Smoking can also increase bacterial plaque on the teeth, resulting in a higher rate of cavities and other tooth damage for smokers.
People who smoke are 10 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers. The risk factor increases to 30 times if smoking is combined with heavy alcohol use. Oral cancer can develop in many of the soft tissues in and around the mouth, including the lips, cheeks and soft palate. Around 2 in 3 cases of mouth cancer is linked to smoking, and there is also evidence suggesting that second-hand smoke increases a person’s risk of developing mouth cancer.
Sores and wounds in the mouth can take longer to heal if you smoke, as smoking reduces blood flow to the mouth. This includes healing time after dental procedures such as a tooth extraction, which can increase the risk of complications such as a dry socket. Smoking also increases the risk of failure for dental implants, so should be avoided.
While not an oral health issue, tooth stains caused by nicotine and tar can affect a person’s willingness to smile. Stains can sometimes develop rapidly and darken over time, and they can’t usually be removed by brushing alone.
Tobacco use can also reduce production of saliva in the mouth or cause it to thicken. This can lead to dry mouth, which further increases the risk of oral health problems. Smoking can also cause bad breath (directly or as a result of gum disease) and can affect how food and drink tastes.
Quitting smoking or cutting down can lower your risk factor for oral health problems and overall health issues, though it can take time for the level to reach that of a non-smoker’s.
Your dentist or doctor may be able to recommend strategies and resources to help you kick the habit. You can also call contact Quitline at quit.org.au or by calling 13 78 48 in Australia. Quitline offer a number of tips and tactics to build an effective quit plan that may include using chewing gum, breathing exercises, drinking herbal tea, healthy snacking and chaging up your environment.
Some other ways to help lower your risk include:
Evidence supports the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapies for helping smokers to reduce their dependency, though they may not be effective for everyone.
It’s important to note that e-cigarettes (vapes) are considered just as harmful to health as cigarettes and shouldn’t be used as a long-term substitute.
A good daily oral care routine can help prevent plaque from building up and causing gum disease. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. It’s also important to avoid too much sugary food and drink that feed bacteria in plaque, and to drink plenty of water throughout the day. If your dentist thinks you need to improve your oral hygiene, they may also recommend using a fluoride mouthwash.
You should make an appointment with your dentist if you’re worried that you might have a symptom of an oral health problem, such as swollen gums, persistent bad breath or another issue.
It’s also important to keep up with your regular check-ups, as these allow your dentist to monitor your oral health and catch any problems early. They can also provide hygiene maintenance treatments to help protect your teeth along with an oral cancer screening to check your gum health. Call us today to book an appointment with our dentists in East Vic Park.
If your dentist identifies any problems caused by smoking when examining your mouth, they will discuss suitable treatment options. These might include:
If gum disease is caught early, it can usually be reversed with a combination of good daily care and professional cleaning and scaling to remove plaque. If the disease has already progressed, your dentist will need to perform a deeper clean to remove pockets of bacteria from inside the gum. They may also discuss restorative procedures to replace lost gum tissue.
If you’ve lost any teeth to smoking, your dentist could discuss replacing them with natural looking dental implants, a dental bridge or dentures.
Some surface stains caused by smoking may be possible to remove during routine dental cleaning. For more persistent stains, your dentist may offer cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening. These treatments aren’t permanent and will need to be repeated every so often if you want to maintain your whiter smile.
Whether you’re concerned about your symptoms or due for a check-up, our friendly team at EVP Dental are here to help. Call us now on (08) 9470 3944 or book online.