Smoking is a prevalent habit that continues to affect millions of individuals worldwide. While the adverse effects of smoking on overall health are well-known, its impact on oral health often goes unnoticed.
However, it is essential to understand that smoking not only affects our lungs but also poses significant risks to our dental and oral well-being.
The habit contributes to gum diseases, delays healing after oral procedures, causes bad breath and tooth discoloration, and increases the risk of developing oral cancer.
Effects of smoking:
- Gum And Periodontal Health: People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease.
The gums take the most hit because smoking leads to a lack of oxygen in the blood flow because of which the infected gums fail to heal at their normal speed. Smoking is the leading cause for people which leads to dental plaque and becomes a base for gum disease which tends to get worse faster compared to non-smokers.
- Slows Healing Process: Procedures like tooth extractions or oral surgeries may take longer for smokers to recover from compared to non-smokers. This delayed healing increases the risk of complications such as infections or dry sockets.
- Halitosis Or Bad Breath: The chemicals present in cigarettes leave an unpleasant odour that lingers even after brushing teeth or using mouthwash. Smoking stains teeth over time due to nicotine and tar deposits, resulting in a yellowish appearance.
- Oral Cancer: It is one of the most severe consequences associated with long-term tobacco use. The probability of getting affected by some disease like cancers significantly go up with the amount of tobacco intake. People who smoke are six times more likely than non-smokers to develop these cancers.
- Stained Teeth: One of the effects of smoking is staining of your teeth. The root cause is the tar and nicotine present in cigarettes. Smoking makes teeth yellow in a short period of time. Chain smokers for many years often see that their teeth turn brownish in colour. It happens because of stains given from tobacco or tobacco products.
- Tooth Loss: Gum disease is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. Smoking weakens tooth enamel and makes teeth prone to fall.
- Loss Of Taste & Smell: The exposure of the olfactory tissue generates a decrease in sensory cell production capacity, causing loss of sensibility to odours and olfactory recognition. The gustatory disturbance is a result of the change in shape, quantity, and compartmentalization of the taste buds because of tobacco consumption.
- Reduced Blood Supply To Oral Cavity: Tobacco is a known peripheral vasoconstrictor. Its products like nicotine increase platelet adhesiveness. This nature of nicotine raises the risk of microvascular occlusion and causes tissue ischemia. It is also associated with catecholamines release resulting in vasoconstriction and decreased tissue perfusion.
- Compromised immune System: Smoking suppresses the innate and host immune responses. It affects the function of neutrophils which is the prime line of defense against infection.
Benefits Of Giving Up Smoking On Oral Health
- Breath will smell fresher
- Stain-free teeth
- Improved health body and mouth
- Improved sense of smell and taste
- Breathing becomes easier
Importance Of Dental Visit :
It is important to visit the dental team regularly for a normal check-up and a full mouth examination so that any other conditions can be spotted early.
Your dentist will examine to check that your teeth gums and whole mouth are healthy and clean. The dental team will also observe and examine your cheeks, tongue and throat for any symptoms of other ailments or complications that may need more treatment and investigation.
The dentist will also facilitate you in getting in touch with organizations and self-help groups that will assist you in quitting smoking. Any major or minor changes in the mouth can be checked and detected early by visiting the dentist.
Note: Say no to tobacco and yes to life to celebrate it with high spirits.
Conclusion:
Park Dental Clinic, Dwarka Sec-7, Delhi is the best dental clinic in Dwarka having the best pediatric dentist, periodontist, and Implantologist.
It offers exceptional general dental and specialty services guided by empathy for patients’ needs and desires.
Services range from dental crowns and implants to veneers and whitening procedures. The dentist here carries the expertise in addressing all types of dental issues and providing comprehensive treatment.
We offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments with advanced technology. A one-stop solution for all dental-related issues.
References:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/smoking-and-oral-health
https://www.dentalhealth.org/smoking-and-oral-health
