Tobacco Use and Your Oral Hygiene

We have all seen the commercials and ads warning you about how bad smoking is for your body, butArtistic Touch Dentistry wants to share with you how tobacco use effects your teeth. WebMD explains that, “not only can tobacco use and smoking cause oral cancer, but also it can discolor your teeth. You can get yellow teeth and a yellow tongue from tobacco use. Smoking and tobacco use can lead to more serious oral health complications as well, including gum disease and oral cancer.”

The most serious effect of tobacco use is mouth cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates, “that 90 percent of people with oral cancer (cancer affecting the lips, tongue, throat, and mouth) have used tobacco in some form. Likewise, the risk of oral cancer is six times higher among smokers relative to non-smokers.” Your individual risk of oral cancer depends on how long you’ve been using tobacco—the longer you use it, the greater your risk.

Although smoking cigarettes doesn’t cause your teeth to decay, it does cause periodontal, or gum disease. Bone loss is part of periodontal disease and it starts out as an inflammation of the gums and the bone supporting the roots of your teeth become inflamed, and the underlying bone can deteriorate. I have heard many people debate over the fact that one form of tobacco is safer than another form. But tobacco in any form has risks and it’s hard to tell which one is worse, but do you really want to take the chance? Regular exposure to tobacco in any form can compromise your health. Although quitting smoking can be difficult, we encourage you to try for the sake of your oral and overall health.

Call Artistic Touch Dentistry today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Maryam Brazdo or Dr. Janice Wahl so we can help you have great oral hygiene and an awesome smile!