The effect of smoking on a person’s general health has been well documented, affecting most parts of the body including increasing the risk of various cancers including oral cancer, cardiovascular diseases, irreversible lung damage, issues with blood clotting, stroke, increased risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, psoriasis, issues with vision, and fertility-related problems. It is important to also be aware of the impact smoking has on a person’s oral health.
How Does Smoking Affect Oral Health?
Smoking can have direct and indirect impacts on oral health, which are sometimes visible only in the long run. Smokers are at a higher risk of tooth loss owing to gum problems, issues with healing after tooth removal or surgery in the mouth, and oral cancer. The best way to prevent these problems from aggravating is to quit smoking. Those who continue to smoke need to ensure that they visit a dentist regularly in order to maintain good oral health and for early detection of oral diseases. Taha Medical Centre, the best dental clinic in Abu Dhabi, provides specialized dental services in various branches of dentistry that can help smokers to maintain their oral health in the best possible manner.
Discoloration and Staining: Why Do Smokers’ Teeth Turn Yellow?
The presence of nicotine and tar in tobacco is the reason why most smokers’ teeth develop yellowish brown stains. These substances can cause the teeth to discolour in a very short period of time, with severe smokers or those who have been smoking for a long period of time showing teeth that are almost brown or black in colour. Professional teeth cleaning and polishing by a dentist may be required to remove the stains on the teeth. The dentist may also recommend the use of an anti-tar mouthwash after regular brushing and flossing in order to reduce the stains on the teeth. If the patient desires a change in their existing tooth shade, professional teeth bleaching can also be done.
Increased Risk of Gum Disease
Smokers should know that they are at two to three times more prone to gum disease or periodontal disease than non-smokers. The quantity of cigarettes smoked and the longevity of the smoking habit are also factors that contribute to the intensity of gum disease that a smoker is likely to acquire. The disease is also more likely to worsen quickly even when treatment is being provided. Gum disease could destroy the bone surrounding the teeth, leading to tooth damage and tooth loss in smokers.
Tooth Damage and Loss: Long-Term Effects of Smoking
Left untreated, gum disease in the form of gingivitis or periodontal disease can cause tooth damage and tooth loss among smokers in the long run. Tooth loss is not just a cosmetic problem. It can affect the person’s ability to bite, chew or digest food, cause speech issues and change the facial features around the mouth. The gaps created due to tooth loss may cause shifting of teeth affecting their function and appearance. Loss of a tooth can also affect the strength of the bone in the jaw. Tooth damage to periodontal disease has also been associated with a higher risk of various cancers including oral cancer.
Slower Healing After Dental Procedures
Tobacco makes it hard for the immune system to fight infections effectively. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the blood, which aggravates the infection in the gums and prevents it from healing. In the case of oral surgery, smokers are at a higher risk than non-smokers because smoking impairs the flow of blood leading to an increased chance of excessive bleeding. Smoking can interfere with the process of blood clotting after a tooth extraction or oral surgery and can cause dry sockets which can cause immense pain and further impede healing. Even if a person is a regular smoker, he / she is usually advised to abstain from smoking for a few days before and after an oral surgical procedure.
Is It Possible For Smokers To Have Good Oral Health?
It is always advisable to quit the habit of smoking because of the plethora of harmful effects it has on the body and mind. With regular brushing and flossing using the right technique, and the use of an anti-tar mouthwash, it may be possible for smokers to maintain good oral health. It is also important to schedule regular visits to the dentist where they can check on any buildup of plaque or tartar under the gums or the start of gum disease and provide treatment to correct the issue. The aesthetics of the teeth can also be maintained with professional teeth cleaning and polishing treatment done periodically to remove stains or discoloration that may have accumulated on the teeth due to smoking. Taha Medical Centre is the best dental clinic in Abu Dhabi and provides specialized services including cosmetic dentistry with teeth whitening, dental veneers, crowns, and implants to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth, as well as periodontics and oral surgery.
Can Quitting Smoking Reverse These Effects?
Quitting smoking is probably the best way to prevent these issues and preserve oral and overall health. It is possible to reverse most of the effects of smoking by quitting, since just 12 hours after the last smoke, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood returns to normal and there is an increase of oxygen levels in the blood. It can reduce the build up of plaque in the mouth, slow down the progress of gum disease and significantly reduce the risk of contracting oral cancer.