Quitting Smoking Can Have a Huge Impact on Your Oral Health: Learn How
You’d be hard pressed to find a person who would be surprised to learn that smoking is bad for their overall health. However, at California Dental Group we find that people often do not realize just how dangerous it can be for their oral health. Read on to learn more. Even if you decide to continue smoking, please make sure you are getting regular dental cleanings and exam to catch any issues as soon as possible.
The number of smokers is on the decline but is not down to nothing
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 36 people in the United States smoke. That comes out to about 15% of the population of the country. Compared to statistics from previous years, this is a significant reduction but it is a still a large number of people who have serious health risks – including oral health risks – due to their choice to smoke.
Tobacco can discolor your teeth
One of the first things a smoker notices about the impact of tobacco on their teeth is the fact that it can cause them to yellow. This is because the chemicals in the tobacco they are smoking clings to their teeth’s enamel. As time goes on, this leads to staining. There are teeth whitening options on the market, but a smoker will have to continue having them repeated if they continue to smoke.
Smoking causes bad breath
Yet another side effect of smoking that is not a surprise is the fact that it causes bad breath. In fact, one study found that the majority of non-smoking women consider smoking a deal breaker when dating. Much of the reason for that decision is the fact that smokers have bad breath. This is caused by cigarette particles sticking around in the mouth long after the smoker is done with their cigarette.
Smokers have a higher than average chance of getting gum disease
The CDC has found that smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to have gum disease. This is because as you smoke, your mouth’s ability to fight bacteria is reduced. The bacteria in your mouth is left to fester and hurt your gums. If not treated, the gums will pull away from the teeth and bone structure will be weakened.
Oral cancer is more common in smokers
The Oral Cancer Foundation reports that about 50,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer yearly. About 80% of those people are smokers. If a person smokes and drinks alcohol regularly, then their chances are even higher. Symptoms of this type of cancer including having a hard time chewing or swallowing, white or red patches in the mouth, and pain in the ear.
If you are worried about oral cancer, or in a high-risk category, then we recommend contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to learn more about oral cancer screenings. We can complete some simple tests to find out if you are at risk.
