Smokers have received plenty of warnings about how smoking can negatively affect their physical health and lead to conditions such as lung cancer. However, evidence shows that the full extent of smoking extends to the health of the mouth as well. In fact, those who smoke are at a higher risk for dental complications and more likely to require restorative dentistry treatments to repair the strength and health of the teeth and gums. At Eagle Gate Dental, our dentists can explain to patients how and why smoking affects oral health so that patients understand the benefits of ceasing this potentially harmful habit. To learn more about smoking and the effect on oral health, contact our Salt Lake City practice.

Why Does Smoking Affect My Oral Health?

Most people who smoke know that the appearance of the teeth can be negatively affected by this habit. Tobacco that is in cigarettes can stain the teeth and cause them to become discolored. Unfortunately, the effects of smoking can be much more serious than these superficial, cosmetic consequences. Smoking can actually negatively affect a patient’s oral health. This is because smoking can impair blood flow and appears to interfere with the normal cell functions of the soft tissues of the mouth.

Negative Effects of Smoking

By inhibiting blood flow and interfering with cell functions, smoking can have serious effects on a patient’s oral health. Below are some of the oral health complications that become a greater risk for those patients who smoke or use other tobacco products:

• Plaque and tartar build-up
• Tooth decay
• Gum disease
• Halitosis
• Delayed healing following restorative dental work
• Jaw bone loss
• Gum recession
• Tooth loss
• Oral cancer

The Benefits of Kicking the Smoking Habit

The good news for patients who smoke is that the body shows an incredible ability to recover once the habit is stopped. For instance, while current smokers can be up to six times more likely to develop gum disease, past smokers who are tobacco-free for roughly ten years show minimal increased risk of periodontal disease compared to those patients who have never smoked. Even decreasing the amount of cigarettes smoked per day has shown to decrease the harmful effects that smoking can have on oral health.

We understand that, despite the benefits of quitting smoking, this is a process that is much easier said than done. We urge patients to look into the tools and medications that are on the market to help them toward their goal of giving up smoking. In addition to the gums and patches that curb nicotine cravings, many patients have also found success with herbal remedies, acupuncture, and hypnosis.

Contact Us

At Eagle Gate Dental, we want all of our patients to enjoy the benefits of a healthy and beautiful smile. We provide our patients with a full range of general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services that will aid in the achievement of this goal. To learn more about the dental care offered by our experienced dentists, contact us at your earliest convenience.