Stop smoking and improve your oral health
Smoking is continuously linked to serious medical conditions, including lung cancer, but many people are unaware of the dangers it presents to oral health.
Tobacco contains thousands of harmful chemicals, which contribute to a number of general health issues; however, the damage it does to oral health often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. Smoking causes gum disease and tooth decay, as well as contributing to unpleasant smelling breath and staining on the enamel surfaces of the teeth. Both oral and throat cancer are also much more prevalent in smokers.
Many people assume that their dental health problems are caused by an oral hygiene routine that isn’t rigorous enough, but their problems could actually be caused by smoking. Smoking affects the health of both the gums and the teeth; mild conditions such as gingivitis can develop into more serious conditions if they are not treated. Periodontal disease, which is a severe form of gum disease, is more common amongst smokers and it can be very serious if not treated; periodontal disease causes bone loss and gum recession, which gradually forces the teeth to become loose in their sockets and fall out. Severe gum disease has also been linked to cardiovascular disease.
Stopping smoking can have huge implications for oral health as well as general health; stopping smoking will reduce the risks of developing serious, life-threatening medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Stopping smoking, coupled with eating healthily and keeping to a good daily oral hygiene routine, will help to reverse the effects of gum disease before it’s too late and improve general standards of oral health.
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