Are you a smoker and wondering how smoking affects your dental health? For almost half a century, we have been warned by the Surgeon General that smoking is bad for our health. One thing that has not been given the attention it warrants is the fact that smoking is also bad for your dental health and can create major dental problems.
Smoking and the use of tobacco products is bad for your dental health because of the effects it has on your teeth and gums. Cigarettes stain your teeth because of the tar and nicotine in the tobacco, which makes your teeth turn yellow or brown, depending on how long you have been smoking.
You also put yourself at risk of gum disease when you smoke or use smokeless tobacco. The chemicals in the tobacco cause inflammation around your teeth because of a shortage of oxygen in your bloodstream, which prevents your gums from healing quickly.
Tobacco use also increases your risk of oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of people with oral cancer have used tobacco products. Smokers are also six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers, while smokeless tobacco users are 50 times more likely to develop oral cancer than people who do not use tobacco products.
Yes, if you are a smoker and want to reduce your chances of tooth decay and gum disease, there are kinds of toothpaste that are specifically made for smokers to help remove the stains on your teeth and improve your breath. However, these products will not reduce your likelihood of getting cancer, so quitting the habit is the best option.
Giving up smoking or smokeless tobacco can be difficult, especially if you have been using tobacco for a long time. However, it is worth it because of the benefits to your general and dental health. If you are ready to quit the habit, you need to come up with a plan and stick to it. If you do not think you need any help, you can try quitting cold turkey.
If you do not think you can give it up without help, you can use any of the over-the-counter quitting aids available at pharmacies or you can ask your doctor to prescribe medication to help you quit smoking.
The most important thing to keep in mind when you want to quit smoking is the fact that it is an addiction, and like other addictions, there will be setbacks. You should talk to your dentist or find a group of former smokers you can talk to, especially when you are craving some nicotine.
Smoking is bad for your dental health and significantly increases your chances of losing your teeth and developing oral cancer. If you are a smoker and are ready to give up the habit, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist for information that can help you stop smoking.
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