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Smoking is not just bad for your teeth, but your health and appearance as well. The first point of entry into your body is your mouth. Lighting a cigarette and inhaling it into your mouth is bound to affect your teeth.

It isn’t an unknown fact that smoking is bad for you.  Certain cancers and many lifestyle diseases are associated with smoking.

Because of the exposure your teeth receive from tobacco and nicotine, it can result in tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, mouth cancer and bad breath. Also, the more you smoke, the more your sense of taste is adversely affected. 

It could be time to rethink your smoking habits. 

Tooth discolouration

Wesley Dentistry says that if you smoke one packet of cigarettes a day, you are basically giving up on maintaining white teeth. Your teeth are similar to a porcelain vase because the enamel of your teeth has the same texture. Like a porcelain finish, your teeth have fine cracks. After decades of using your teeth, the cracks will soon be filled with whatever you put in your mouth – in this case, cigarette smoke. 

As you inhale your cigarette, the nicotine and tar of a cigarette seep into your enamel’s cracks and stay there. You can’t brush nicotine or tar away. Stained teeth come from poor brushing techniques too. 

If you are a chronic smoker, teeth whitening sessions are required to get your pearly white smile back.

Contribution to tooth loss

As a chronic smoker, the chance of preserving your original teeth is decreasing. Here are a few reasons why:

Healing process delay

The smoking of tobacco lowers the oxygen level in your bloodstream. Oxygen is necessary for healing your body. If you come across an oral disease or dental condition that needs a surgical procedure, the healing process for a chronic smoker is slower, and there is a longer recovery time. 

You are at a higher risk of infection as a smoker. If you smoke while healing, your gums won’t heal properly. 

Gum disease

The most prevalent reason for adult tooth loss is gum disease. Smoking is a major contributor to tooth loss, and gum disease progresses faster when you are a chronic smoker. Dental implant procedures are less successful if you are a chronic smoker because of the common tooth loss. 

Smokers should visit dentists more regularly, especially if you suspect gum disease. The symptoms of gum disease include:

• Bleeding gums that are red and swollen
• Pus coming out your gums
• Loose gums
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
• Loose teeth
• Current spaces between your teeth

E-cigarettes are just as bad.

Although there is no tobacco in cigarettes, vaping is still bad for your oral health because it contains nicotine, other chemicals and heavy metals. These are bad for your teeth and body. 

The nicotine in vapes damages your gum tissue and reduces saliva production. It results in bad breath, receding gums and tooth loss. 

Special dental products

If you are a smoker, you will find special toothpastes. They are usually more abrasive than ordinary toothpaste and should be used carefully. Whitening toothpaste is also an option for smokers. They do not change the natural colour of your teeth, but they are able to remove stains and improve the appearance of your smile. 

Because bad breath is common for a smoker, mouthwashes are highly recommended. Unfortunately, mouthwashes can only disguise your problem temporarily. It is not a cure. 

Prevention of teeth and gum problems as a smoker

There are a few things you can do to prevent more tooth and gum problems, especially if you are a smoker and currently experiencing these problems. 

Your biggest task is to try and stop smoking. Seek guidance and support from your doctor or dentist. 

Sometimes it isn’t easy to stop completely. You can reduce the number of cigarettes that you usually smoke every day. Instead, clean your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste or the special dental product mentioned above. 

Dental floss is helpful for your smaller gaps. If you have bigger gaps, use an interdental brush to clean between the gaps of your teeth. 

A visit to your dentist every six to 12 months may assist with getting advice on how to take better care of your teeth and gums at home. The earlier you find the problems, the better it will be keeping your teeth and gums healthy long term. 

Say no to smoking

Smoking is an addictive habit and is hard to kick. Instead of smoking, try drinking water or chewing sugar-free gum. It will allow your saliva to flow better. 

Limit the amount of alcohol and recreational drugs that you use. Choose a beautiful smile instead.

Affinity Dental 

Affinity Dental has three tiers of dental insurance. Each of these options has a different price point for all customers and covers individual specialist work to various degrees. 

Adults and children need to visit the dentist at least twice a year, and these constant dental maintenance appointments can certainly start to add up – especially if you have a large family.

If you need to find an

Affinity Dental-approved dentist in your area, click here.