When it comes to smoking, there is no such thing as ‘safe. It can have many adverse effects on your physical health, including your teeth.
Once someone smokes a regular basis and they’re exposed to nicotine, they’re more likely to begin – or continue – smoking.
“It’s a slippery slope,” Dr. Lamarre says.
Smoking isn’t just responsible for life-threatening diseases, it can dramatically change your appearance by speeding up aging and ruining your teeth.
- Brief Anger Hampers Blood Vessel Function Leading to Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke – New Study
- New Blood Test Pinpoints Future Stroke Risk – Study Identifies Inflammatory Molecules as Key Biomarker
- Enceladus: A Potential Haven for Extraterrestrial Life in its Hidden Ocean Depths
- New Experiment: Dark Matter Is Not As ‘DARK’ As All We Think
- Scientists in Fear of This New Predator From Red Sea Eating Native Species in Mediterranean
The experts at Banning Dental said:
There are a variety of dental problems associated with the mouth of a smoker, some of which are irreversible.
From a dentist’s perspective, there are some very common tell-tale signs of a smoker’s teeth that are very obvious to spot on initial consultation.
The experts have revealed five ways that smoking impacts your oral health and how dentists can tell if you smoke.
Tooth discoloration
Experts explained:
For smokers, with each pull on a cigarette, nicotine, tar, and other substances that contribute to making these tobacco sticks so addictive, seep into the cracks and contribute to classic yellowing signs of a smokers teeth. Because the vapor is so fine, it can do this all too easily.
No matter how well you brush and clean your teeth, the heavy staining can’t be removed and your teeth will remain yellow.
The brightness and vitality that we may have once had in our youth is now giving way to a more tired, dull, stale appearance.
In a society that is so keen to defy the effects of ageing, ditching the fags would be the most effective anti-ageing practice of all. Saving you money and your health!
Tooth decay and loss
The experts explained:
When smoking, the supply of oxygen available to the gums is restricted resulting in the nerves not receiving adequate healthy blood supply to remain healthy.
Sizeable spaces can appear between the teeth and around the gum line.
Not only are these black triangles unsightly, but they can also often lead to infections with food becoming trapped between the teeth.
This will result in the cavities growing larger and the tooth structure weakening. In the worst cases, the tooth will eventually either fall out or need to be removed.
If you are reaching the point of tooth loss and tooth decay, this will lead to further signs of aging and most certainly more costly dental procedures.
Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a bacterial infection of the mouth that, over time, causes damage to the gums and teeth.
The first signs are bleeding when flossing and sometimes even bleeding while brushing.
The Banning Dental spokesperson said:
As periodontal disease progresses, the gums begin to look as though they are receding – another classic sign of smokers teeth.
You may have seen the shocking advert of a woman’s eye-bleeding and being told that we wouldn’t let that go unseen by a doctor, but that many of us will have bleeding gums and not do anything about it seems crazy!
This is a poignant advert and is yet another reminder that if you are experiencing bleeding when brushing or flossing, it’s time to see your dentist.
Bone damage
If gum disease is not checked and treated, the infection will spread and cause bone damage.
The infection will move deeper into the gum tissues and the underlying bone structures, causing the bone to break down.
The experts noted:
Sometimes in more advanced cases, surgery becomes necessary.
That can have devastating effects on the structure of your jawline and overall facial features.
Bone loss causes a sinking, drawn look and requires far greater intervention and reconstruction. Please don’t allow the situation to reach this stage.
Mouth cancer
The Dental Practise’s experts pointed out that the leading causes of mouth cancer are attributed to smoking and drinking alcohol, two things you can quit.
They said:
Oral cancer can affect any and every part of the mouth, including lips, gums, cheeks, teeth and tongue.
Since we depend on our mouths to eat, drink and communicate this is a seriously challenging condition, which really can only be treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
This is not something to be taken lightly, but the risk can be massively reduced by kicking the habit.
- Brief Anger Hampers Blood Vessel Function Leading to Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke – New Study
- New Blood Test Pinpoints Future Stroke Risk – Study Identifies Inflammatory Molecules as Key Biomarker
- Enceladus: A Potential Haven for Extraterrestrial Life in its Hidden Ocean Depths
- New Experiment: Dark Matter Is Not As ‘DARK’ As All We Think
- Scientists in Fear of This New Predator From Red Sea Eating Native Species in Mediterranean
Image Credit: iStock