We are all aware that smoking is harmful to our overall health. It is often linked with lung disease or heart problems, but there is another part of the body that suffers quietly and steadily, and that is the mouth.
As a dental practice, we see this up close. Teeth, gums, tongue, even the sense of taste; smoking affects them all. It often happens slowly, which makes it easy for our Bromley patients to ignore until things get more serious.
We hope that today’s blog helps to shed some light on what smoking can do to your oral health and how you can take steps to protect yourself.
It doesn’t take long for smoking to leave its mark. One of the first things that happens is a reduction in saliva flow. Saliva is not just there to keep the mouth moist; it protects teeth by neutralising acids and washing away bacteria.
When saliva is reduced, your mouth becomes more vulnerable to decay and infections. That is why smokers often experience a feeling of dryness that never fully goes away. Over time, this dryness contributes to tooth decay and bad breath, among other problems.
Then there are the stains. The tar and nicotine in cigarettes leave a yellow or brown stain on teeth. The deeper the stains, the harder they are to remove. Over time, your smile may begin to look older than you feel. Although this can be helped with cosmetic dentistry, it is always best to prevent a problem from occurring in the first place.
This is one of the most common effects of smoking on oral health. Gum disease often starts silently. You may not feel pain or notice a problem until the damage is already advanced.
Smoking weakens the normal function of gum tissue. It reduces blood flow to the gums, which means they do not heal properly. It also makes it easier for harmful bacteria to thrive. Smokers are up to six times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers.
In its early form (gingivitis), gum disease causes redness, swelling, and bleeding. But when it progresses to periodontitis, it can lead to bone loss, receding gums, and even tooth loss.
It is important that we talk about oral cancer, even though it is a difficult subject. Tobacco contains chemicals that can damage the cells in the mouth and throat. Smoking is the number one risk factor for oral cancer.
Sometimes, oral cancer begins with a small sore, a lump, or a patch in the mouth that looks unusual. Often these go unnoticed or ignored. Regular dental check-ups can help catch these early signs before they become something more dangerous.
The earlier oral cancer is detected, the more successfully it can be treated. That is one of the reasons we check your mouth thoroughly at every check-up visit to the Smile Dental Practice Bromley, whether you smoke or not.
People are increasingly turning to vaping as an alternative to smoking. While it may seem safer than cigarettes, it is still not harmless. Some e-liquids contain nicotine, which can harm gum health in similar ways. Others contain chemical flavourings that can irritate the soft tissues in the mouth.
The long-term effects of vaping are still being studied. What we know so far suggests that any habit involving inhaling chemicals into your mouth and lungs is likely to carry risks.
Put bluntly, the most effective step is quitting smoking altogether. We understand that this is easier said than done. Many of our patients have told us just how hard it is. But every day without a cigarette is a day your body begins to recover.
Even reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke can lessen the damage. Your gums may begin to heal. Your risk of oral cancer will start to fall. Your breath will improve, and your bank balance will thank you.
If you are not quite ready to quit, here are a few steps you can still take to help your oral health:
It is not uncommon for smokers to avoid the dentist because they feel embarrassed or worried about comments that might be made about their teeth. We want to make it clear that our job is to support you, not lecture you.
If you smoke and have not been to the dentist in a while, please come in. Talk to us about your concerns. We can offer advice, treatments, and regular care that helps to protect your oral health, no matter where you are on your journey with smoking.
Whether you smoke or not, but especially if you do, why not act quickly to improve your chances of avoiding serious oral health issues? You can make an appointment to see a dentist by calling the Smile Dental Practice on 020 8462 2473 and speaking to one of our friendly reception team.
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