Smoking and Its Effects On Oral Health in Port Orange, FL

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Most smoking is a widely known medical risk for several consequences of various health conditions, including severe complications related to oral health. Seeing what smoking does to the mouth can be a strong motivator for Port Orange, FL, residents to stop and find a healthier pastime. In this blog post, we discuss how smoking can impact your oral health, as well as provide some tips by a family dentist in Port Orange, FL on how to offset these effects.

The Negative Impact of Smoking on Oral Health

1. Stained Teeth and Bad Breath

  • Nicotine and Tar: Many chemicals in tobacco, most importantly nicotine and tar, will stain and yellow teeth. These stains are tricky to remove with routine brushing and typically require a trip to the dentist for a thorough cleaning.
  • Persistent Bad Breath: Smoking causes chronic bad breath (halitosis). The tobacco smell itself plays a role, however, smoking also dries out the mouth, worsening bad breath.

2. Increased Risk of Gum Disease

  • Decreased Circulation: Smoking restricts blood flow to the gums, necessary for gum health and recovery. This reduction in blood flow can result in periodontal disease, a more serious form of gum disease.
  • Bacterial Growth: Tobacco consumption accelerates the accumulation of plaque and tartar in the teeth, which also harbor pathogenic bacteria responsible for gum infection and inflammation.

3. Fractures or Transplants of Dental Procedures

  • The immune response is impaired: Smokers have a poorer immune response, causing slower healing of dental procedures like extractions, implants, and gum treatments.
  • Increased risk of implant failure: Smokers have a higher risk of implant failure than non-smokers, as smoking also hampers healing and increases the chance of infection.

4. Oral Cancer

Smoking is a major cause of cancers of the oral cavity, including cancers of the mouth, throat, tongue, and lips. When these chemicals enter through the chewing of tobacco, they induce mutations in the DNA of the cells in the mouth that are responsible for the introduction of cancerous cells.

Sores or lumps in the mouth that won’t go away or white patches in the mouth can be early signs of oral cancer and should see a doctor as soon as possible.

5. Tooth Decay and Loss

  • Dry Mouth: Smoking inhibits the production of saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food debris. A dry mouth makes you more prone to tooth decay.
  • Bone Loss: Chronic smoking may result in bone loss in the jaw, causing loosening of teeth, and even tooth loss.

Prevention and Management of Impactful Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

Quit Smoking

  • Get Help: The best practice to maintain oral health is quitting smoking. It may help to seek support through health care providers, quitlines, or support groups.
  • Nicotine Replacement Therapies: Options like patches, gum, or lozenges may mitigate withdrawal symptoms and improve quitting success rates.

The bad news is that smoking wreaks havoc on oral health, but the good news is that quitting smoking and replacing unhealthy habits with healthy ones can reverse many of these negative effects. Read the rest of this article to learn how residents of Port Orange, FL. can prevent the risks of these diseases and maintain a healthy mouth and beautiful smile. To ensure proper oral health, visit the dentist regularly, practice good oral hygiene, and commit to quitting smoking. If you are a smoker, ask your dentist for advice on the best ways you can protect your oral health and resources that may help you kick the habit. Your teeth — and your overall health — will thank you.