Smoking, as we all know, (or at least should do by now) is very bad for you. It’s bad for your whole body from the tips of your toes to your brain and can even affect your skin. It should also go without saying, given that we use our mouths when we smoke, that smoking negatively affects our general oral health, especially our teeth. If you’ve ever wondered just how smoking affects your teeth and why it can cause you some very serious oral health issues, continue reading.
Higher Likelihood of Developing Oral Cancer
One of the worst things about smoking is the harmful carcinogens and other toxins that the cigarette releases into your mouth with every puff. These carcinogens and other toxins increase the likelihood of you developing oral cancer.
Expedites Tooth Decay
Again, due to the release of harmful chemicals, particularly the tar residue that cigarettes leave behind, smoking can cause tooth and gum decay faster than if you hadn’t smoked at all.
Tooth Staining
Not only is smoking bad for your teeth, but it will also leave you with a fairly ugly oral appearance, including the permanent staining of your teeth from the nicotine contained in the cigarettes.
If You Smoke, Visit Your Dentist Regularly
One of the most important things you can do for yourself as a smoker is visit your dentist regularly. Even if you’re not smoking that frequently, you are still doing incredible damage to your mouth and teeth. Your teeth should be cleaned more regularly by a dental hygienist as a smoker, particularly de-plaquing and gum cleaning, as the carcinogens in cigarettes can cause irreparable damage to your gums.
Hidden Costs of Smoking on Oral Health
One of the things we all know about smoking is that it is not only bad for your health, but also for your wallet. It has become a very expensive habit – for a good reason. Dental care as a result of prolonged smoking and its effects on the body is also going to be a very expensive endeavour. Suppose you end up having to pay for things like dental veneers. The cost of dental implants reaches thousands of dollars.
Some dentists will give you the option to use Afterpay dental – a service providing assistance in paying dental costs so you can have your issues fixed now and pay it off over time.
Signs of Dental Problems as a Result of Smoking
There are a few key things to pay attention to with regards to your teeth, to figure out if you might need to see an emergency dentist. Most commonly, signs of poor oral health can include bad breath despite frequent brushing, yellowing of your teeth, bleeding gums, soreness or tenderness in the mouth. Frequent abscesses or abnormal growth formations are also a tell-tale sign that something is wrong. If you experience these symptoms, visit your nearest emergency dentist immediately.
If you are not careful and are unable to reduce or quit your smoking habit, you may find yourself needing an emergency dentist, particularly if you are experiencing sore, bleeding gums. If you’re a smoker seeking dental attention or advice, visit your nearest Camden dentist.
Your dental health should be your number one priority as a smoker and a non-smoker, but it is even more critical if you are a smoker, as your risk of serious dental health emergencies is much higher.
Make sure you pay your dentist extra-regular visits as a smoker and try and kick that habit! It’ll do wonders for your health, both oral and otherwise. Contact Aesthetic Dental & Denture Clinic today!
