Smoking is one of the most serious dental problems and is one of the most hazardous things you can do to your smile.
When you smoke cigarettes or tobacco from a pipe, you are not only causing your teeth to discolor, you are creating a variety of other risks, as well. The yellowing of the teeth is often the first sign of damage for smokers. This yellow color is embedded into the actual enamel of the teeth, so it’s not something that can be removed with brushing. It can take several whitening treatments to get your teeth back to the normal shade, and many times the natural shade is unreachable, depending on the length of time you’ve been smoking.
Smoking can also lead to gum disease in the mouth. Gum disease is very serious because it may not even cause pain, however, it can cause you to lose your teeth due to an infection of the gums. When someone smokes they produce a plaque that contains high levels of bacteria, which is the leading cause of gum disease. Even people who do not smoke get gum disease; smoking puts you at an even higher risk for developing the disease.
Many are aware that they are putting themselves at risk for lung and throat cancer when they smoke. What many do not know is that smoking is the leading cause of mouth cancer. Thousands of people die every year from mouth cancer that is caused from tobacco. Since tobacco also weakens the immune system, it can allow the cancer to flourish in the body.
If you are looking to prevent the bad effects of smoking, stopping is the first key to success. However, while you are in the process, see if your dentist recommends a special toothpaste for your teeth. There are toothpastes available that are more abrasive than normal toothpaste. Your dentist may also recommend a medicated mouth wash to help fight bacteria.
If you continue to smoke, you are going to need to see the dentist more often than the average patient. This is so the dentist can regularly inspect the inside of your mouth to ensure there are not any smoking-related problems. It is important that you take the steps to keep your oral hygiene up to par if you are going to use tobacco. Letting it go without the proper care can be life threatening.
