It’s no secret that smoking isn’t good for your health. But when you think of the health risks associated with smoking, your mind likely automatically thinks of lung cancer and oral cancer.
However, smoking wreaks havoc on many parts of an individual’s body — including their teeth! Smoking and tobacco products cause significant damage to your smile, and the longer you smoke, the more damage you’ll likely experience.
Before you can repair some of the damage to your teeth, Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is here to explain how smoking and tobacco products cause cavities and what you can do to avoid causing future oral hygiene problems.
How Smoking Impacts Your Teeth
Smoking and tobacco products cause several issues to your oral health, ranging from gum recession to bone damage. Today we’re going to look at a few of the ways smoking damages your teeth and oral cavity.
Tooth Decay
More often than not, people assume most oral issues related to smoking-related to gum damage or cancer, but that’s not always the case. Your teeth can become significantly damaged as well, often beginning with tooth decay. Over time, smoking will cause large cavities to show up around the individual’s gumline, which weakens the teeth and often damages the root. It can also lead to tooth infections.
Periodontal Disease
Also known as gum disease, it is an infection in your mouth that impacts the gums. While the irritation may start as irritation, bleeding, and inflamed gums, it eventually leads to gum disease. When this happens, the individual will notice their gums receding, which exposes more of their teeth to potential damage.
Additional Oral Problems
Along with tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, there are other issues that smokers may experience. These include:
- Tooth discoloration – Tobacco products often lead to stained teeth that are a dark yellow hue. Over time, it can stay your tongue as well.
- Mouth sores – Smokers are more likely to experience mouth sores and ulcers when compared to individuals who don’t smoke or use tobacco products.
- Oral cancer – Tobacco products, cigarettes, and cigars contain harmful chemicals exposed to your mouth every time the product is used. Exposure to these chemicals causes mutations in the cells of your mouth and throat, which increases the risk of oral cancer.
How Smokers Can Reduce the Risk of Cavities
Stopping smoking and using tobacco products is the best way to minimize the risk of cavities. Other recommendations include:
- Preventative care – Regular dental visits are an absolute must for maintaining healthy oral hygiene to find minor problems before they become more prominent and painful issues.
- Flossing and brushing – Along with flossing and brushing twice a day, consider doing so every time you smoke or use a tobacco product to help remove the harsh chemicals from your mouth.
- Tweaking your routine – At your preventative dental appointment, ask your dentist what other tactics you can do to improve your oral hygiene, such as using an electric toothbrush, mouthwash, or a water pick.
Fix Your Cavities with Non-Metal Fillings At Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
If you’re a smoker or tobacco product user and are looking to create a picture-perfect smile, non-metal fillings might be the solution you’re looking for. Following your appointment for fillings, it’s important to schedule preventative care to ensure you’re protecting your teeth from further damage. Contact the team at Radiance Family & Cosmetic Dentistry to schedule an appointment for non-metal fillings in Billings, MT.
We look forward to helping you reach the smile of your dreams!
