Smoking can have a profound affect on dental health.
Did you know that nearly half of periodontal (aka gum disease) in smokers is caused by smoking? Smoking can directly interfere with the normal functioning of gum tissue cells, leaving smokers susceptible to infections. Chronic gum disease can also lead to the loss of teeth. If you’re a smoker, these are just a few reasons why you should consider making a change to your habits.
Periodontal Disease
Gum disease is a bacterial infection that destroys the soft tissue and bone anchoring your teeth to your jaw. Bleeding gums are an early sign of development, and gum health will only continue to deteriorate as the disease progresses. Eventually, teeth may become loose and painful, and may end up falling out.
Smoking and Dental Health
Studies show that smokers have significantly more calculus (the hardened form of plaque) than nonsmokers, likely as a result of decreased saliva production. Tobacco products can also make gum disease progress much faster, and smokers frequently experience more severe symptoms than nonsmokers. Studies say that smokers have a 3-6 times more likely chance of having gum destruction than nonsmokers.
Dental Treatments
The other major problem involved with smoking and dental health is how it affects treatment. Smoking not only increases the chance that gum disease will develop, but also hinders your mouth’s ability to heal, making treatment that much more difficult to succeed. Smokers do not respond well to oral surgery, and dental implants are more likely to fail due to poor bone healing. Crowns and bridges will often lose their beautiful appearance in smokers.
Oral Cancer
As much as 90% of individuals with mouth or throat cancer have used tobacco. Tobaccos greatest threat to your health is likely the associated risk with oral cancer, as smokers are six times more likely to develop these cancers than non smokers. Smokeless tobacco can also increase the risk of these cancers by nearly 50 times.
While changing habits can be difficult, avoiding smoking and tobacco products is imperative to preserving dental hygiene.
Professional Dental Care from Annapolis Dental Care
If you want to schedule your next visit, please contact Annapolis Family Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! We can give you more information, or schedule your appointment. Our diligent knowledge of all dental treatments and extensive experience in all fields of dentistry, ensure Annapolis Dental is best suited to care for your oral health. You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.