The ill effects of smoking are widely known, but does smoking affect dental health as well? Yes, smoking and vaping are detrimental to oral health and may lead to periodontal disease. It can eventually cause cavities and loss of teeth.
This article dives into the effects of smoking on dental health and how you can protect your teeth. But first, let’s talk about the negative effects of smoking on overall health.
Effects of Smoking on Health
Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for 70% of the cases, followed by a large number of smokers suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It also leads to heart disease, diabetes, and stroke in the long run.
Smokers are also at a higher risk for autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, and some eye diseases. Thus, dentists at Sekhon Dental – Dentist Agoura Hills suggest avoiding smoking (in any form).
Effects of Smoking on Oral Hygiene
Besides harming your lungs and heart, smoking also leads to a higher risk of dental diseases and complications. The risk of gum disease is higher in people who smoke up to 10 cigarettes a day compared to non-smokers, leading to the need for preventive dental care. The chances are 4 to 5 times higher in people who smoke more.
Some of the common effects of smoking on oral health include:
- Stained teeth
- Loss of the ability to taste
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Whitening of the mouth tissues
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Complications after mouth surgery or tooth loss
- High chances of infections with delayed healing
- Risk of developing mouth cancer
- Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
Vaping & Oral Health
Vaping has also become quite common recently, and smokers believe that it is less harmful than smoking. However, vaping and smoking e-cigarettes contain nicotine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals. Thus, vaping can also lead to periodontal diseases.
Vaping leads to inflammation in the mouth that may eventually cause gum diseases and tooth loss. Furthermore, it causes dry mouth, teeth staining, and a higher risk of cavities.
Impact of Weed Cigarettes on Oral Hygiene
Weed or Cannabis has been associated with dental complications, dry mouth, and an increased risk of mouth and neck cancer. Studies show that you may have a dry mouth for 1 to 6 hours after smoking weed.
Regularly smoking weed also causes more incidences of caries and the overgrowth of Candida Albicans, which leads to soreness, redness, and white plaque.
Can Quitting Smoking Help Improve Oral Health?
Quitting smoking can help you reduce the risk of developing gum disease. In fact, people who quit smoking have the same chances of periodontal issues and response to treatments as non-smokers. It also reduces the risk of mouth cancer and improves the condition. However, you might experience increased bleeding after smoking cessation. Consulting a dentist at Sekhon Dental in Agoura Hills can help you with adequate oral healthcare.
If you need help quitting, you can talk to us or your physician as there are many resources available.