It is well known to all that smoking is detrimental to health. But are you aware of the fact that smoking leads to many dental problems? The harmful effects of tobacco on oral health are many.
Cigarettes are not the only cause behind dental woes. All types of tobacco like cigars, hookah water pipes, and smokeless tobacco pose a serious threat to dental health.
DENTAL THREATS FROM TOBACCO USE
- Regular intake of tobacco greatly increases the risk of oral cancer. Oral cancer is a life-threatening disease that grows rapidly. Oral cancer can even be fatal if not diagnosed with proper treatment early. Due to the late diagnosis of oral cancer, oral cancer has surfaced as a significant killer in recent times.
- Tobacco intake leads to higher risks of gum disease. Gum disease is one of the main reasons behind tooth loss in adults. The load of bacteria that spreads to the mouth causes an imbalance in oral bacteria. This causes gum disease to increase over time.
- Smoking slows down the process of general healing of the mouth. After tooth surgery, like tooth extraction, this side-effect can be particularly cited. Smoking significantly slows down post oral surgery healing process.
- Smoking affects the health of gums and causes gums to recede. It causes gum disease, leaving the roots and the gums exposed. Due to the exposure of the gums tooth sensitivity can take place. Hot/cold sensitivity increases the risk of tooth decay.
- Smoking results in a bacterial imbalance in the mouth.
- Smoking can also cause bad breath due to the smoke from tobacco.
- Smoking causes stubborn stains on teeth that cannot be removed through regular brushing. Regular intake of tobacco is one of the main reasons behind teeth discoloration.
- Tobacco causes tartar build-up on teeth that requires regular dental checkups and visits to the dentist. Not treating tartar build-up increases the risk of gingivitis/ gum disease.
Cigarettes and cigar contain harmful toxins that are a primary cause behind oral cancer.
Smokeless tobacco is equally harmful to the health of the teeth. The truth is chews and dips contain more nicotine than cigarettes. 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco, according to the American Dental Association.
Hookah water pipes are equally harmful to oral health. Consuming hookah has become increasingly popular in recent times. The fact is, the water in the hookah water pipes does not completely filter out the harmful toxins. Due to the mixture of both flavor and tobacco, these substances adversely affect oral health
