We all know the serious health consequences of smoking, especially for the heart and lungs. However, we sometimes forget that the teeth and mouth of smokers are also very exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco.
Discover 5 major consequences of smoking on teeth.
1. Smoking turns teeth yellow
Tar, nicotine and all the chemicals in cigarettes leave yellow and sometimes brownish stains on your teeth. After years of smoking, these substances can penetrate the cracks in your enamel and permanently stain your teeth.
If you want to whiten your teeth, our first suggestion is to quit smoking. However, this solution is not that simple and we understand that. If you are a smoker, and even more so a regular smoker, we recommend making regular appointments with your dentist for a full cleaning and, on occasion, teeth whitening.
Do electronic cigarettes also turn teeth yellow?
While the impact of electronic cigarettes on oral health is still being studied, there are some good indications.
Vaping, like smoking, can be responsible for the appearance of yellow and brown stains on your teeth. The liquid, especially if it is colored, can impact the color of your teeth. Ingredients such as vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol can also make the situation worse.
2. Smoking contributes to the development of plaque and tartar
The chemicals in cigarettes affect the flow of saliva in the mouth. This can make it easier for oral bacteria to stick to your teeth and gums.
Plaque can then build up on your teeth and along the gum line. If it is not removed daily with effective brushing, it can turn into tartar.
If tartar builds up, it could cause more serious oral problems. In order to solve this, you will need to contact your dentist for a complete teeth cleaning.
3. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and cavities
As we discussed earlier, smoking promotes the formation of plaque in the mouth. This formation drastically increases the risk of developing dental cavities, since a smoker generally has three times as many cavities as a non-smoker.
This number highlights the importance of taking care of your teeth to keep them in good condition at all times. If you think you have a cavity or need cavity treatment, make an appointment with your dentist.
In addition to increasing the incidence of cavities, smoking contributes to the fragility of the body. In fact, gum inflammation or gingivitis develops more quickly in smokers than in non-smokers.
4. Smoking impairs the quality of dental care
Smoking significantly slows the healing process of dental care. Smokers have a lower success rate than non-smokers in periodontal treatment.
In addition, the consequences of smoking can cause problems when a tooth is extracted or a dental implant is placed. The most common complications range from tissue inflammation to total implant loss.
Smoking not only affects the quality of dental care, it also increases dental costs. The less dental care your body can sustain, the more often you will need it.
5. Smoking increases the risk of oral cancer
When people think of smoking-related cancer, lung cancer is usually the most commonly cited. However, excessive smoking can increase the occurrence of cancer of the mouth, tongue, lips, gums and throat.
In Canada, an estimated 3,400 new cases of oral cancer occur each year. Unfortunately, most oral cancers are not detected until they are already at an advanced stage. Reducing your tobacco consumption or even quitting smoking will often save your life from an uncontrollable disease.
Clinique Dentaire 1935 offers advice to smokers on their oral health
As you have learned in this article, smoking has many consequences for your teeth and beyond.
If you want to quit smoking, get advice from a specialist. If you are a smoker and want to know more about the condition of your teeth, make an appointment with our dentists. Our specialists are at your disposal to give you the best advice and the best treatments to take care of your teeth and keep them as white as possible.