Smoking might seem like an everyday habit to many, but its effects on your oral health are anything but ordinary. Whether you’re trying to keep your teeth white, maintain fresh breath, or protect your gums, this habit might be doing more harm than you realise.
The Bad Effects of Smoking on Oral Health
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable oral health issues. Its harmful effects go beyond stained teeth and bad breath—it can damage your gums, slow down healing after dental treatments, and even increase the risk of life-threatening conditions like oral cancer. Here’s a closer look at how smoking impacts your teeth and gums.
1. Stained, Yellow Teeth
Nicotine and tar from cigarettes stick to your tooth enamel, creating tough stains that turn your teeth yellow or even brown over time. These stains are often hard to remove with regular brushing and flossing. Professional whitening treatments can help reduce discolouration, but long-term smokers may find it difficult to completely restore their teeth’s natural colour.
2. Persistent Bad Breath
Smoking tends to dry out your mouth, reducing saliva production. Since saliva production is crucial for washing away bacteria, the lack of it can lead to a build-up of bacteria and plaque. This then, can cause chronic halitosis (bad breath).
3. Gum Disease
Smoking also interferes with blood flow to the gums, reducing their ability to fight off infections and heal properly. This increases your risk of developing gum diseases such as:
- Gingivitis: Early gum inflammation caused by bacterial plaque build-up.
- Periodontitis: A severe form of gum disease that can result in tooth loss if untreated.
Smokers are up to twice as likely to develop gum disease compared to non-smokers, according to the CDC.
4. Cancer
As one of the leading causes of oral and throat cancers, smoking contributes to approximately 90% of lung cancer cases alone. With cigarettes containing more than 60 known cancer-causing agents, smokers are at a 10x higher risk for oral cancer compared to non-smokers, and face increased risks for more than 12 other types of cancer.
Need Advice About Smoking and Your Dental Health?
Remember to book an appointment with your preferred dental clinic! Alternatively, TLC Dental Centre’s dentist is also equipped to help. Just reach out to us at +65 9113 2847 to schedule your visit!