Whether you smoke real cigarettes or electronic vapes, both contain tobacco that negatively affects your body in various ways. While most people know about lung cancer conditions, only a few know about smoking’s effect on dental health. Not only does smoking make your teeth turn yellow, but it also increases the risk of developing gum disease.
Everyone is aware of how smoking can harm your health. The good news is that the number of smokers has been declining for many years now, but there are still too many tobacco-related deaths happening. If you are or were a smoker and are worried about your dental health, consult with a Fishers, IN dentist today.
Ways smoking negatively affects your dental health
- Smoking can cause your teeth to stain/become yellow.
The nicotine and tar in tobacco cause human teeth to become yellow and stained. Needless to say, tobacco-stained teeth required special treatment. Brushing your teeth several times a day can help. It can also help prevent gum diseases that arise from tobacco smoking.
These stains, although extrinsic, can be difficult to remove. You may have to consider professional teeth whitening treatment or porcelain veneers.
- Bad breath.
Nobody likes to have bad breath. Smelling bad can have a negative impact on your self-image as well as make you feel embarrassed in public settings. It can also lower your confidence and make you hesitant to speak in front of crowds.
People who smoke commonly acquire a smoker’s breath, a stale scent of tobacco left behind after smoking. Smoking also leaves chemicals in your mouth which can mix up with your saliva and produce bad smells.
- Weakened immune system.
Smoking is known to disbalance the equilibrium of the immune system. Your immune system may not be strong enough and become vulnerable to oral diseases. It may not be able to use its defense mechanisms, making you fall severely sick. Even when you go through dental procedures, you will experience a longer recovery and more bleeding as compared with non-smokers.
- Gum and periodontal diseases.
According to studies, you are more likely to experience gum and periodontal disease than people who do not smoke. Smokers are likely to produce more bacterial plaque. Gum diseases begin with bacteria that get under your gums. If the bacteria or germs stay there for a longer period of time, plaque and tar develop. If you suspect gum and periodontal disease, you must visit your doctor before it is too late.
The negative effects of smoking are unending. The bottom line is that smoking is not good for you in any aspect, especially dental. Consult a dentist in Fishers, IN, today.
