We are all well familiar with the devastating impact smoking has on our bodies by now – from triggering the risks of lung disease and diabetes to inducing high blood pressure and chronic bronchitis.
But when did you last take a moment to consider what might be happening to your oral health due to cigarettes? Most individuals do not even know what impact smoking can have on their gums and teeth.
This blog discusses how smoking affects your oral health and also highlights some quick tips to protect your teeth and gums from this habit.
By how long does smoking start to impact your teeth?
The response to this query rests on a number of factors – such as the status of your existing oral health and how frequently you smoke. But after a week of smoking, a majority will begin to feel huge differences in their teeth and gums, and also experience visible changes in their teeth and gums. Even some individuals might feel adverse effects immediately after smoking their very first cigarette.
Naturally, the longer you keep going with smoking habit, the worse your oral condition will be. So will be your greater chances of developing some bad problems with your teeth and gums. But have you ever wondered what kind of oral health problems have been linked to smoking? Let’s take a look at the blog further.
Plaque and Tartar
Tobacco cigarettes are notorious culprits which can lead to dry mouths. From the day you smoked your very first cigarette, it has been compromising your ability of saliva production – which plays an essential role in maintaining your healthy gums and teeth.
This is because it acts to neutralise the acids and remove the bacteria that reside within your mouth. Without it, or with enough of it, bacteria are able to readily stick to the gums and teeth, and the likelihood of tooth decay, gum recession and gum disease increase as you continue smoking.
Gum Disease and Tooth Loss
Plaque is among the primary causes of gum disease – which is the most common cause of tooth loss. The more you smoke, the more likely the bacteria will cause your gums to pull out from your teeth (gum recession), creating tiny spaces or ‘pockets’ for further accumulation of plaque.
These pockets continue to get deeper over time, ultimately compromising the tissue and bone that supports your teeth and holds them in position.
If you see a plaque build-up on your teeth or other issues such as receding gums, schedule a visit with your dentist immediately.
Oral Cancer
The worst risk of tobacco cigarette smoking is oral cancer. If you smoke, you become ten times more prone to get oral cancer than someone who smokes nothing at all. Although most oral cancers can be treated, you should still go to your dentist at least twice a year for routine check-ups, because this may help identify the problem early before it becomes any worse. As you know, prevention is better than cure!
Will my oral health improve if I give up smoking?
While quitting the cigarettes will not solve all the issues they have created like a magic, it will lower your chances of getting gum disease and teeth falling out. This makes your mouth heal better from gum treatments, such as for oral cancer.
Does smoking delay healing and create complications after dental procedures?
Smoking does not only harm your teeth and gums on a gradual basis, it can severely disrupt your body’s healing ability after dental procedures as well. Whether you are getting a tooth extraction, undergoing gum surgery, or receiving dental implants, smoking largely triggers your risk of delayed healing and facing complications during recovery.
Nicotine, a major ingredient of tobacco, causes blood vessels to constrict and decrease blood flow. That means vital nutrients and oxygen cannot pass through efficiently to the healing tissues, and it becomes much more difficult for your mouth to heal from trauma or surgical treatment. Even small procedures take longer to heal, and in more aggressive treatments, risks become much more serious.
For example, smokers are much more likely to develop dry socket – a painful condition when the blood clot does not develop or is prematurely dislodged over the site of extraction. In implant dentistry, research indicates that smoking is among the top reasons for implant failure because of reduced bone integration. Similarly, the results of gum treatments can be affected if smoking is continued during the healing process.
Dentists generally advise to avoid smoking for at least 72 hours after the procedure, although ideally, quitting your smoking habit should start even before treatment. Abstaining from smoking for even a temporary period during your recovery can make a lot of difference in the outcome of recovery.
If you are having a dental procedure done, giving up on smoking even for a short time can aid in better healing, minimise the risk of complications, and ensure overall success of your treatment.
What are the most effective methods of giving up smoking?
Many former smokers managed to stop smoking using nothing more than sheer willpower, but others are not so fortunate and require something to aid them on their journey. There are many support services on hand, ranging from stop-smoking products such as nicotine patches and chewing gums to e-cigarettes. All of these are relatively less worse for your teeth and gums than tobacco cigarettes. In addition to any of these options, visiting counselling sessions may also be a great assistance.
Contact South Kensington MD Today
When it comes to giving up smoking and enhancing your oral health, there is no better time than now. If you require a basic professional clean to get rid of stubborn, troublesome plaque, more aggressive treatment for gum disease, or guidance on how to avoid receding gums, we are here to help you.
To arrange a consultation with our skilled and experienced dentists in South Kensington, call us directly on 02071832362 or visit our online booking system to check available appointment slots! We would be delighted to meet you and learn more about how we can assist you.
