Smoking and Oral Health Problems

We tend to think of smoking as being the cause of  a large number of health problems like lung cancer, emphysema and other lung related conditions, as well as cardiac disease.  However, this addiction to nicotine can also severely damage your oral health. Smoking has been linked strongly to certain types of oral cancers. It also increases your risk of developing gum disease.

Gum disease
Gum or periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that damage the bone and soft tissue responsible for securing the teeth to the jawbones. The earliest sign of gum disease is bleeding during brushing or flossing. As the condition progresses, your gums begin to recede or pull away from the teeth. This leads to the formation of pockets which can become deep and hollowed as time goes by. The pockets fill with more bacteria, and these continue to attack supporting tissues. Eventually, decay sets in, and there is loosening of the teeth. Research has confirmed that smoking and use of tobacco is one of the biggest factors in the development of periodontal disease.

Calculus and tartar
People who smoke have an increased formation of calculus than nonsmokers. Smoking is known to cause dry mouth or xerostomia. This is a condition in which there is a decreased flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is important to wash away bacteria and acids, and when there is a reduction in saliva, these acids are free to form ugly calculus. Over a period of time, the calculus hardens and evolves into tartar. That’s why smokers are more at risk of tartar than those who avoid smoking.

Smokers are between 3 to 6 times likely to suffer from gum disease than nonsmokers. They also have a higher risk of bone loss. Besides, smokers don’t take treatment for gum disease very well. Not only does treatment take longer, but it also has lesser chances of success. Tobacco use tends to affect your body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Appearance
Smokers who have been fitted with crowns and bridges may soon find that these don’t do as much for their appearance as they do for nonsmokers. Also, porcelain laminates are not likely to look great over a period of time on a smoker.
Smoking seems to impact blood circulation in the gums. This is why smokers are less likely to have successful dental treatments, and cosmetic dental procedures. Smoking stains your teeth over a period of time, leaving them yellow, and with brown stains. Smokers are also more prone to bad breath than nonsmokers.

Oral cancer
90 percent of cases of mouth and throat cancer are linked to smoking and tobacco use. This includes both nicotine smoking as well as chewing of tobacco. Smoking can also increase the risk of developing other oral cancers, like larynx cancer, if the patient continues the habit even after undergoing cancer treatment. Besides oral cancers, tobacco smoke can lead to cancer of the lungs, kidneys, larynx, esophagus, bladder etc. Smoking of pipes has been linked to cancer of the lips. Chewing tobacco can cause cancer of the gums, cheeks and inner lips.