Effect of smoking on the mouth and teeth

As everybody knows, smoking is very harmful to human health and can result in numerous diseases, including cancer. Smoking also affects the mouth and teeth and is one of the most critical factors that can influence the gum and may result in gum cancer and destroy the teeth’ health and beauty. Smoking also reduces the success rate of gum disease treatment.

Dental implantation may be more difficult in smokers than in other patients. Smokers with diabetes are more exposed to pathogenic microbes in the mouth and tooth damage. Smoking causes teeth stains, gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth yellowing. It also damages salivary enzymes and reduces their secretion. Smokers should avoid smoking before and after visiting the dentist.

Dental care in smokers

Smokers should pay more attention to their oral health and avoid smoking after the followings procedures:

• After any oral surgery
• After a dental implant
• After tooth extraction for at least 48 hours
• After ceramic orthodontics because of stains and discoloration of the brackets by smoking

The following tips can also help improve smokers’ oral health:

• Heavy smokers need teeth scaling every two months.
• Smokers should use fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash.
• Smokers should be regularly visited for teeth and gums check-ups.
• Smokers should regularly use dental floss.

How cigarettes damage the gums and teeth

Nicotine and other toxins in cigarettes can disrupt the circulation in the gums and teeth, resulting in reduced access of these tissues to necessary nutrients and oxygen, leading to tooth decay and gum damage.

The teeth pores are also aggravated in smokers. As a result, the teeth turn yellow and brown spots are formed on them. Most of these dental plaques are not removed with teeth whiteners and whitening toothpaste, and the patient needs to visit a dentist.