Everyone knows that smoking is detrimental to your health, but a lot of people don't realise the negative affect that smoking has on your teeth, gums and oral cavity.
Smoking reduces the blood flow to the gums, reducing bleeding and healing, so many patients do not realise the extent of their gum disease until they see a dental professional. Smoking leads to loss of attachment between the tooth and the gum, which in turn causes teeth to loosen.
Smoking discolours teeth . The nicotine leaves teeth with yellow/brown staining which is very difficult to lighten.
Smoking reduces saliva flow which can lead to increased cavities.
Smoking reduces healing causing sores in the mouth to take longer to heal.
Smoking greatly increases your risk of oral cancer. A smoker is 6 times more likely to get oral cancer, than a non smoker. The risk of oral cancer is greatly increased in those who drink alcohol.
The more you smoke, the higher the risk of oral cancer, periodontal disease, dental decay and missing teeth. The only solution is to stop smoking immediately, even though it can take up to 9 years for the cells of the oral cavity to return to normal. If quitting smoking is not an option, cutting down should be. Regular visits to your dentist or hygienist or periodontist can also help treat symptoms of periodontal disease.