Smoking: A Not So -Sweet Siren Calling for Your Oral Health’s Demise

Smoking has many negative impacts on your oral health. For example, tobacco smoking can stain your teeth, affecting your self-esteem. In addition, tobacco smokers are at significant risk of contracting oral cancer. Not only that, but also, people who smoke may need to have their damaged teeth extracted. The damaged teeth can further cause bleeding gums, pain and teeth complications. Additionally, treating oral problems caused by smoking is a painful and expensive process. So, to prevent the adverse effects caused by smoking, it would help to seek the help of a reputable dentist in Calgary, AB, to help you quit the dangerous habit.

What Are the Common Oral Health Problems Faced by Smokers?

Smoking is hazardous to your oral health. Smokers face many dental problems, including the following: Gum Disease Smoke and tobacco from cigarettes affect the bone structure and the soft tissues of your teeth, causing gum disease. Also, smoking affects your gum tissue cells, making you prone to infections like periodontal disease, cavities and wounds in your mouth. Stained Teeth Smoking cigarettes that contain tobacco over a long time can cause severe staining and yellowing of your teeth. Unfortunately, yellow teeth are hard to clean on your own. Brown and yellow teeth may require professional help to eliminate. It would help to research teeth whitening in SE Calgary so you can get the professional help you need. Bad Breath Regular smoking leads to chronic bad breath: a condition referred to as halitosis. Halitosis occurs as a result of bacteria buildup in your mouth. Tooth loss Smoking causes gum disease, which destroys the roots of your teeth. Additionally, the plaque and tartar buildup accumulate on your teeth, causing tooth decay. Your dentist may need to extract your teeth, causing gaps in your teeth. Oral Cancer Prolonged smoking may lead to oral cancer, which causes sores on your lips and tongue. Cancer also affects your throat and cheeks showing impaired speech and difficulty chewing and swallowing. Reduced Sense of Taste and Smell Smoking dulls your smell and taste senses. As a result, it may become hard for you to enjoy the taste of food and drinks. Delayed Healing Process Smoking weakens your immune system leading to delayed healing of wounds and treatments such as tooth extraction. In addition, it may make it hard to treat diseases like periodontal disease or to have gum surgery.

How Smoking Affects the Sense of Taste and Smell

Smoking is a significant driver of a poor sense of taste and smell. High levels of smoking affect your sense of smell and dull your taste buds. Smoking kills smell senses making it hard for you to enjoy food. Additionally, smokers experience a clogged nose making it challenging to smell things like food and flowers. Also, smoking reduces the blood flow to your tongue, leading to taste loss. However, your ability to smell and taste can be determined by your amount of smoking. Smokers who smoke a cigarette a day have a better sense of smell and taste than people who smoke a whole pack of cigarettes daily.

Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene if You Smoke

Dentists at Willow Park Dental recommend some critical oral hygiene tips for smokers and ex-smokers, including the following:

• Regular brushing of teeth, preferably using a fluoride toothpaste
• Replacing toothbrushes regularly
• Using mouthwash to get rid of bad smell.
• Regular dental checkups for oral screening and treatment of possible infections
• Self-checkups for signs of poor health, including checking for signs of bleeding, sores and swelling on the lips.
• Getting professional cleaning from a dentist near you
• Quitting smoking

Conclusion

Smoking is a bad habit that is detrimental to oral and general health. Firstly, it causes bad breath that results from tartar and plaque accumulation. Additionally, you risk developing gum disease, stained teeth, tooth loss and oral cancer, among others. However, all hope is not lost for smokers. Good oral hygiene habits like regular brushing of teeth, using mouthwash, and regular dental checkups may help improve your oral health. Nevertheless, adverse effects of smoking, like stained teeth, injured gums and tooth loss, may require help from a professional. Ultimately, quitting smoking is challenging but can save you from contracting dental problems.