Kicking the Tobacco Habit is Good for your Mouth

April 2, 2019

While the current percentage of Americans who smoke cigarettes is the lowest it’s been in decades, those who continue the habit remain at risk for heart and lung disease. Additionally, while we know smoking is also bad for our oral health, most don’t understand just how bad it is…

More Than Just Stained Teeth

From its seemingly mild side effects (bad breath, tooth discoloration, buildup of plaque and tartar), to the more sinister (increased risk of oral cancer, loss of bone within the jaw, gum disease and any number of resulting complications) – tobacco is indeed an oral health risk. Tobacco can cause serious health issues by breaking down the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. Because of this breakdown, the use of tobacco makes smokers much more susceptible to infection and diseases. In fact, 90% of people who have cancer of the mouth, throat, or gums admit to using tobacco in some form.

Cigarettes, cigars and pipes aren’t the only culprits; smokeless tobacco can be just as detrimental to oral health, if not worse. In fact, there are twenty-eight chemicals found in chewing tobacco alone that are proven to increase the risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Chewing tobacco and snuff contain higher levels of nicotine than those found in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Use of these products can expose the root surfaces and ultimately make teeth more susceptible to decay. Signs of smokeless tobacco use that we see in our patients include increased tooth decay in the chew area, changes in soft tissue, and redness with white patchy irritated skin in the cheek area.

Help is Just Next Door

The only way to help eliminate these risks is to never start using tobacco products, or to quit if you do. In fact, simply reducing tobacco use is proven to help lower your risks. If you feel that now is time to reduce your risk of cancer, gum disease, infection and other oral complications, your doctor can help you create a plan to help you quit using tobacco, along with prescribing certain medicines or programs to help you kick the habit. For patients who have quit using tobacco products, our team at Park Crossing Dentistry has noticed great improvements in their oral health, including a decreased rate of decay and dry mouth, less straining of teeth, healthier gum tissue, and fresher breath. Here at Park Crossing Dentistry, the information we have shared with patients has helped make a difference in their lives, while helping protect their health at the same time.

Remember, it is never too late to quit!