How Bad is Smoking for Your Teeth Really?

Smoking is known for causing various diseases, including lung cancer, and often has fatal consequences. However, despite the health warnings promoted on the packaging and in the media, many people around the country continue to smoke. So, what effect does smoking have on your teeth? Can it effect dental implants? Is it really as bad for your dental hygiene as people say it is?

It is true, smoking does affect your dental hygiene and can, in fact, weaken the health of your mouth over time, turning it into a breeding ground for bacteria. With this comes a number of serious problems, including the following:

• Increased healing time for any oral surgery
• Foul breath
• Raised risk of oral cancer
• Teeth discolouration

However, here at Hove Dental, we understand that quitting smoking can be difficult too. That’s why we have written this article on smoking and the effect it has on your teeth, to educate people on the risks that come with smoking tobacco.

How Does Smoking Damage Your Teeth?

This is one of the most common questions dentists get asked. In an age where the brilliant white, Hollywood smile has never been so popular, everyone’s wondering how they can keep their teeth in perfect condition. Of course, if you smoke, you will be doing more harm to your teeth than good.

Smoking hinders your mouth’s ability to deal properly with infections and it also causes discoloration on your teeth, that no amount of teeth whitening or bleaching can remove. In severe cases, smoking has been known to cause tooth loss! The bacteria that builds up in your mouth due to smoking lowers your body’s defences, making it more prone to infection and illness. What’s more, tar builds up and the grit found in tobacco rubs away the enamel on your teeth, ridding them of that much-needed protective barrier. Smoking causes:

• Browning of your teeth
• Gum irritation (occasionally bleeding)
• Build-up of calculus (hardened plaque)
• Dry mouth
• Enamel erosion

How Does Smoking Effect the Gums?

Not only does smoking effect your teeth, but it also causes significant damage to your gums. This damage will not only look unappealing (discolouration and bleeding), but it can also be incredibly painful. Some of the symptoms you may experience for yourself are:

• Bleeding gums
• Irritation when eating
• Receding gums
• Bad breath
• Loose teeth

To help combat these problems, in addition to quitting smoking, your dentist will recommend one or more of the following:

• Mouthwash
• Deep cleaning
• Surgical intervention (bridges, implants etc)
• Oral antibiotics

Be Honest with Your Dentist about Smoking

Although your dentist will be able to spot from a mile off that you are a smoker, it is best to be honest and up-front. Talking to your dentist about smoking is one of the ways you can help protect your teeth effectively. There is no use lying about smoking, as the symptoms are often blatantly obvious and despite your embarrassment, your dentist will be understanding and offer helpful advice.

Here at Hove Dental, we see many patients who smoke and while quitting can be difficult, if you want your oral hygiene to improve, it is the best step you can take.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Part of the reason why many smokers have such bad oral hygiene is because they simply do not visit the dentist regularly enough. One of the most common reasons for this is they feel guilty for smoking, or they simply do not want to be lectured. However, all your dentist wants to do is ensure your mouth is being well-maintained and is healthy. So, it is important you visit your dentist regularly.

Here at Hove Dental Clinic, we provide understanding and patient appointments that, despite your choices, will ensure you know how to look after your teeth properly. So, please do not hesitate to book an appointment with us today.

How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy If You Smoke

If you are a smoker, we have outlined some of the essential steps you need to take to ensure your oral hygiene is well-maintained.

Use Mouthwash Regularly: Mouthwash is one of the best products for reducing your risk of infection and keeping the bacteria levels in your mouth low. We advise that you thoroughly rinse your mouth out with mouthwash for at least one minute every day – in addition to flossing and brushing – as this will kill as much of the bacteria as possible.

Flossing: Flossing regularly is something many people neglect, but as a smoker, it is imperative you floss often to avoid a build-up of calculus on your teeth. If you notice substantial bleeding when you floss, this is a sign of early periodontal disease and you must see your dentist right away.

Regular Gum Check-ups: Having regular check-ups is also extremely important, as we’ve already mentioned, and this will help prevent against possible future problems. What’s more, if you let your dentist know that you are a smoker, they will be able to closely monitor your dental hygiene and watch out for any signs of periodontal disease or nasty oral infections.

Book Your Appointment at Hove Dental Today

Here at Hove Dental, we are proud to provide an exceptional dentistry service to all our patients. We cover all areas of dental and orthodontic hygiene and we would be proud to help advise you on good oral hygiene practices. If you would like to book an appointment today, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today and discover for yourself the benefits of regular dental check-ups.