World No Tobacco Day – How Smoking Wrecks Your Oral Health

World No Tobacco Day is observed globally on May 31st each year. It is an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of tobacco consumption.

We all know that smoking is harmful to our overall health, but did you know it can wreak havoc on your oral health as well? While the dangers of smoking are often associated with cancer and heart disease, it’s essential not to overlook the significant impact it has on your teeth, gums, and mouth.

Dirna Grobbelaar, an oral hygiene advisor for Ivohealth, and a member of the Oral Hygienists Association of South Africa (OHASA) provides some insights into what smoking does for your oral health:

1. Tooth Discoloration and Staining
   One of the most noticeable effects of smoking on your oral health is tooth discolouration. The nicotine and tar found in cigarettes can quickly stain your teeth yellow or even brown over time. This not only affects the appearance of your smile but also makes cleaning more difficult. Additionally, stained teeth are more prone to cavities due to plaque build-up.2. Bad Breath (Halitosis)
   Smoking leads to persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis. The chemicals in tobacco smoke linger in your mouth long after you’ve finished a cigarette, causing an unpleasant odour that can be hard to get rid of – even with proper dental hygiene practices like brushing and flossing regularly.

   3. Gum Disease
   Smokers are at a higher risk of developing bleeding gums and gum disease (periodontal disease) than non-smokers because tobacco use weakens their immune system’s ability to fight infections effectively. Smoking reduces blood flow in the gums leading to inflammation (gingivitis), which can progress into periodontal disease if left untreated – ultimately resulting in tooth loss.

   4. Impaired Healing Process After Dental Procedures
   Smoking can significantly impair your body’s natural healing process, particularly after dental procedures such as tooth extractions, gum surgery, or dental implants. The chemicals in tobacco smoke restrict blood flow to the affected area and hinder the delivery of essential nutrients and oxygen needed for proper healing. As a result, smokers often experience prolonged recovery times and an increased risk of complications like infections and implant failure.

   5. Oral Cancer
   One of the most severe consequences of smoking is an increased risk of oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 90% of people with oral cancer have used tobacco in some form. Smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancers than non-smokers, including cancers affecting the lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, and floor of the mouth.

   6. Reduced Sense of Taste and Smell
   The chemicals present in cigarette smoke can damage your taste buds and olfactory receptors over time. This results in a diminished sense of taste and smell that may affect your ability to enjoy food fully.

   7. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
   Smoking reduces saliva production in your mouth leading to dryness – a condition known as xerostomia.Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining good oral health by washing away bacteria responsible for cavities and gum disease while neutralizing harmful acids produced by plaque build-up on teeth surfaces.

2. Increased plaque and tartar build-up
   Smoking promotes the accumulation of plaque and tartar on teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.The detrimental effects smoking has on your oral health are undeniable. If you’re looking for another reason to quit smoking or avoid picking up this dangerous habit altogether – consider what it does to your overall health, as well as your oral health and your smile.

How to tackle better oral health if you are a smoker
However, quitting is not easy, as any smoker will attest to. Grobbelaar advises that if you are a smoker, you need to take extra special care of your mouth.

“Brush correctly twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, ideally using a toothpaste like GUM Paroex Intensive Action. Clean between the teeth daily, using whatever interdental tool you find easiest – such as floss, a reusable GUM Bi-Direction interdental brush with antibacterial bristles or GUM Soft-Picks. After smoking rinse with salt water (which will also help with dry mouth) or a mouth rinse like GUM Paroex which contains chlorhexidine and CPC, the gold standard in plaque control. Also, remember your tongue. The tongue is one of the most common sources of bad breath, so gently use a tongue scraper, such as GUM’s Halicontrol dual action tongue cleaner, which also has a brush, to remove the chemicals in tobacco smoke from your tongue.”

“Have a professional cleaning at least every six months. Look for a practice offering EMS Guided Biofilm Therapy, a breakthrough oral hygiene treatment that is extremely gentle but provides superior plaque removal. As a smoker it’s very important to see a dental professional regularly to help minimize risks and improve your oral health,” concludes Grobbelaar.

For further advice on how to maintain fresh breath and a healthy mouth read this article or chat to your dental professional. Read this blog with seven tips for a whiter smile.

 

Image Credit: The Dental Parlour

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