4 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Every time I see one of my close friends smoking I think to myself "Do you have any idea what your doing to your body?". And I know clearly they don't or they wouldn't be smoking. Yes we all know smoking is bad for you, its been drummed into us for years but did we ever stop and wonder just what effect smoking has on our teeth? Or did we ever stop and wonder how our gums cope with the constant barrage of nicotine we're inhaling? Chances are you didn't. Sure smoking's known to cause tooth discoloration but believe me , a little discoloring on my teeth (OK A LOT OF DISCOLORING!)would be the least of my worries if i was a smoker. Oh yes just take a glance at the list below. All common side effects smoking has on the mouth.

*Constantly bad breath - yuck!
*Discolored teeth
*A build up of calculus (tartar) build up
*Periodontal disease more commonly known as gum and bone disease that can rapidly accelerate depending on whether your a smoker.
*Jaw bone loss
*Shifting teeth
*Oral cancers
*Mouth sores
*Sinusitis
*Root Cavities
*Hairy tongue
*Smokers lip ( almost like a burn)
*Altered sense of taste and smell
*Delayed wound healing
*And if they aren't enough there's always gum disease!

Smoking has been known as a significant risk factor for gum disease. Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums and deprives them of oxygen which is needed to keep gums healthy! Periodontal disease has also been attributed to smoking in that those who smoke are four times more likely to have it than people who didn't smoke. If unchecked this disease can lead to complete destruction of the tooth's supporting tissues, abscesses and eventually loss of the tooth. However possibly the most dangerous and serious affect smoking has on your mouth is oral cancers. Over 90% of patients with oral cancer use tobacco by either smoking or chewing it. The more cigarettes you smoke, the greater the chance of catching oral cancer you have.

No matter how long you've smoked its never too late to stop. Men and women of all ages experience immediate benefits as soon as they stop smoking. Your oral health will be positively impacted as well. Quitting will reduce the rate and incidence of gum disease, oral cancers and bone and tooth loss while keeping teeth whiter and allowing sores of the mouth to heal properly. So next time you go to light up yet another cigarette ask yourself "is it really worth it?".

Learn more about this author, Anna Woodbury.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Dental health issues associated with smoking?
We want to hear your view. Write now!